Predators Claim Yip

The Nashville Predators took advantage of a versatile player being on the waiver wire on Wednesday/Thursday, as the Avalanche, with intentions to send him down to the minors, put Brandon Yip on waivers, only to be claimed.  Yip was just coming off the injured reserve, because of a groin injury and the Avalanche were looking to get him through waivers quietly, expecting to give him more than a couple of weeks for recovery in the minors.  If the Avalanche sent him down as a conditioning stint, he wouldn't have to clear waivers, but clearly, they thought the team would be okay without him and they wouldn't rush him back.  This idea proved to backfire, as he was claimed and now the Predators have potentially another good Trotz-kind of player.  In nine games played this year, Yip has yet to pick up a point, making his presence in Box 8 underwhelming, but that could change.