8 More sent Packing

This is Ryan Potulny celebrating a Sam Gagner goal in January. I always wonder about men like him passing through waivers every fall without being picked up by another team.What is it? The man scored 38 goals on a team that didn't give him much help a year ago, wouldn't someone take a chance on him?Ryan Potulny has played in 52 NHL games and scored 7-10-17. In 2 full AHL (158 games) seasons he's popped 71 goals which is a pretty nice total.Are there really 420 forwards available to NHL teams who are better than Ryan Potulny?My answer is no. I believe NHL teams don't pick up men like Potulny for several reasons: they're protecting their young players who have to stay in the NHL or risk waivers; they're going with the "devil they know" from their own club--and a good teammate is often an end-of-the-roster guy who has gained respect through TC; and there is probably something of a "gentleman's agreement" with all of these AHL veterans bei...