The American Hockey League released its annual Clear List today -- teams picked the 22 players eligible to play the rest of the regular season and the Calder Cup playoffs -- but Alaska Aces fans shouldn't get too excited by John Lammers' absence from the Providence Bruins' list.

The Clear List carries a ton of caveats -- teams can make exceptions in case of injuries, suspensions, call-ups -- so it's hardly hard and fast about who can play for an AHL team the rest of the way.

Erstwhile Aces Lammers and T.J. Fast, who was on Peoria's Clear List, could of course end up back with the Aces, and maybe Alaska will catch a break, considering both Providence and Peoria are way out of playoff position at the moment.

I just wouldn't hold my breath on Lammers -- the meaning of the Clear List is anything but clear.