UPDATE: Colton Gilies was claimed by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

-------Well, well, what a surprise. Claimed by the worst team in the league and he will now play under former Wild coach Todd Richards. Was Gillies not even worth a draft pick in a trade?

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Colton Gillies was put on waivers this morning. If he clears at 12:00 EST Saturday, he will be reassigned to AHL Houston. Money isn’t the issue Gillies is in the first year of a two year deal at a cap hit of $625K.

So I ask why? Do they not want Gillies in the organization any more?

GM Chuck Fletcher had this to say, "With Colton, his effort and his attitude have been great, assuming he clears waivers tomorrow, I think it'll be a great opportunity for him to go to Houston and get his game going. He's a young player, he's got a great future ahead of him, and I think this is the best decision for his long-term development. Obviously, there's a chance somebody could claim him, and that's the risk we're taking. But the status quo wasn't accomplishing what anybody needed to get accomplished. We needed to change it up for him and give him a chance to get his game going."

Coach Mike Yeo echoed Fletcher, saying there are few bigger fans of Gillies than him. But he said the time was now for Gillies to get his confidence back

Gillies was a # 1 pick of the 2007 draft.

Gillies is only 22, 6’ 4”, 208lbs. He has played 89 games of which is mostly on the fourth line, he really hasn’t put up the points, only 2 assists in 37 games this season. He is a hard hitter, and plays with a definite mean streak

Marco Scandella was sent to Houston earlier this week, and now the hope is Gillies will join him. However tomorrow I think Gillies will be a member of a different organization.