Hurricanes grab Andrej Nestrasil on waivers from Red Wings

Wings lose 23-year-old Czech forward after putting him on waivers

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings took a risk and placed 23-year-old forward Andrej Nestrasil on waivers to make room for Stephen Weiss, and the Carolina Hurricanes claimed him on Thursday.

Nestrasil enjoyed playing time early this season with the Red Wings, recording two assists in 13 games before falling out of the lineup. The team had to make a decision on who to move to make room for Weiss, who is expected back at some point from a conditioning assignment in Grand Rapids.

Moreover, there would be even less room for the Czech forward when Pavel Datsyuk (groin) returns from his injury.

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Nestrasil was looking like a top prospect for the Red Wings. The team was hoping he'd clear waivers and end up getting playing time in the AHL. He was drafted by Detroit in the 3rd round (75th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Since then, he's played with both the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins and the ECHL's Toledo Walleye.

In 70 games with the Griffins last year, Nestrasil scored 16 goals and notched 20 assists. He scored another 6 points in 10 playoff games.

The young winger must have impressed coach Mike Babcock this year at training camp before appearing in five preseason games and making his NHL debut. He beat out fellow young forwards Mitch Callahan and Landon Ferraro (among others) for this spot in the NHL. Still, if not for an injured Datsyuk at the beginning of the season, Nestrasil might have been in Grand Rapids already.

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Nestrasil now a Cane

Red Wings fans can agree this guy deserves his shot in the NHL. It's just too bad it won't be in Detroit.

As for his future in Carolina, it could be a very promising one. The Hurricanes can use his size (6-foot-3, 209 pounds), speed and skill on the wing. He could fit in well with talented players such as Eric Staal, Nathan Gerbe, Alexander Semin, Jiri Tlusty and Jeff Skinner.

"Andrej is a young player with good size who we feel can contribute to our group of forwards," Hurricanes general manger Ron Francis said in a statement. "He has improved in each of his pro seasons and took a big step last year with Grand Rapids."

The Canes had a rough start to the season going 0/8 in October. Things are looking up, though -- they are 6-4 in November.