Columbus claims Spencer Martin off waivers from Canucks

Veteran netminder finds new NHL home with Blue Jackets

USA Today - Columbus claims Spencer Martin off waivers from Canucks

Spencer Martin is no longer on the Vancouver Canucks books after getting claimed off waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday.

The Canucks were hoping to re-assign Martin to their American Hockey League affiliate in Abbotsford. However, the Blue Jackets clearly feel that Martin can provide them goaltending insurance behind starter Elvis Merzlikins. The Jackets will absorb the final year of Martin's one-way contract that pays him $762,500.

It's believed other teams including Tampa Bay and Colorado had shown interest in Martin however the Blue Jackets had better waiver priority status.

A video report on the Vancouver Canucks progress halfway through the team's NHL preseason

Martin went 11-15-1 with the Canucks last season. In parts of two seasons in Vancouver, the 28-year-old posted a record of 14-15-4 with a 3.56 GAA and an .887 save percentage.