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Why did the Canucks put Frank Corrado on waivers?

Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Alex Burrows, Kevin Bieksa

Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning talks to media during the first day of NHL training camp, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Ben Nelms)

AP

The depth of the Canucks’ blue line is in the midst of a massive test right now, especially with the recent injury to Dan Hamhuis.

Hamhuis underwent surgery Friday for a facial fracture suffered in Wednesday’s game against the New York Rangers. The injury could keep the veteran defenseman out of Vancouver’s lineup for the next two months, according to head coach Willie Desjardins.

With the situation in Vancouver, the hot topic of late in that market has been about how the club let 22-year-old defenseman Frank Corrado go for nothing by waiving him in October. The Toronto Maple Leafs claimed the right-shooting blue liner off waivers, however, he sits dormant with that team, having yet to play a game.

Canucks GM Jim Benning, speaking on TSN 1040 radio in Vancouver, attempted to justify the club’s reasoning with respect to Corrado.

“That was a decision ... at the time, we had two or three other players ahead of Frankie on the depth chart,” said Benning (at about 5:30 of the audio clip), adding that at the start of the season, the club was pleased with its depth on defense.

“With Frankie, quite honestly, we thought he needed to play to keep getting better as a player. We didn’t want him sitting around and not playing. But we’ll see what happens. I’ve been watching what’s going on with him in Toronto and we’ll see what happens with that.”

Benning also didn’t shut the door on the possibility of attempting to re-acquire Corrado from Toronto.

“They own his rights now and if something was to happen, we’ll look at things.”

The Canucks are expected to call up another defenseman from the AHL.