2023 Interesting Potential Waiver Claims

Vector

Moderator
Feb 2, 2007
27,712
47,114
Junktown
Due to popular request, I've complied a list of interesting potential waiver claims. Some of the criteria is for players 25 years old or younger and with a somewhat interesting statistical profile.


Anaheim Ducks
NamePositionAgeLeagueGamesGAPHeightWeightStatus
Brett LeasonRW24NHL546396'5''218lbsOn Roster
Benoit-Olivier GroulxC23AHL631821396'2''200lbsOn Roster
Arizona Coyotes
NamePositionAgeLeagueGamesGAPHeightWeightStatus
John LeonardW25AHL671727445'11''196lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Cameron CrottyRD24AHL64112136'3''182lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Boston Bruins
NamePositionAgeLeagueGamesGAPHeightWeightStatus
Jesper BoqvistFW24NHL701011216'0''180lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Ian MitchellRD24NHL351785'11''173lbsOn Roster
Jakub LaukoW23NHL234376'0''196lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Alec RegulaRD23AHL51516216'4''208lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Reilly WalshRD24AHL71932416'0''185lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Buffalo Sabres
NamePositionAgeLeagueGamesGAPHeightWeightStatus
Brett MurrayLW25AHL712326496'5''228lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Brandon BiroLW25AHL491635515'11''170lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Kale ClagueLD/RD25NHL330446'0''190lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Calgary Flames
NamePositionAgeLeagueGamesGAPHeightWeightStatus
Benjamin JonesC24AHL711737546'0''187lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Martin PospisilRW23AHL2046106'2''173lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Carolina Hurricanes
NamePositionAgeLeagueGamesGAPHeightWeightStatus
Dylan CoghlanRD25NHL170336'2''208lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Chicago Blackhawks
NamePositionAgeLeagueGamesGAPHeightWeightStatus
Mackenzie EntwistleLW/C24NHL6646106'3''184lbsOn Roster
Boris KatchoukLW/C25NHL58511166'2''206lbsOn Roster
Reese JohnsonRW/C25NHL574266'1''193lbsOn Roster
Colorado Avalanche
NamePositionAgeLeagueGamesGAPHeightWeightStatus
Riley TufteLW25AHL631916356'6''220lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Keaton MiddletonLD25AHL72320236'6''240lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Columbus Blue Jackets
NamePositionAgeLeagueGamesGAPHeightWeightStatus
Emil BemstromW24NHL55715226'0''193lbsOn Roster
Liam FoudyLW/C23NHL6277146'2''188lbsOn Roster
Joshua DunneC24AHL652017376'4''204lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Trey Fix-WolanskyRW24AHL612942715'7''186lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Marcus BjorkRD25NHL3338116'3''203lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Jake ChristensenLD/RD24NHL240446'0''186lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Dallas Stars
NamePositionAgeLeagueGamesGAPHeightWeightStatus
Nicholas CaamanoW25AHL2929116'5''205lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Fredrik KarlstromC25AHL471016266'3''195lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Detroit Red Wings
NamePositionAgeLeagueGamesGAPHeightWeightStatus
Jared McIsaacLD23AHL61319226'1''192lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Tim GettingerW25AHL521322356'6''222lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Edmonton Oilers
NamePositionAgeLeagueGamesGAPHeightWeightStatus
Raphael LavoieRW/C22AHL612520456'4''196lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Markus NiemelainenLD25NHL230006'6''190lbsInjured
Philip KempRD24AHL71615216'3''202lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Cam DineenLD25AHL69641475'11''188lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Benjamin GleasonLD25AHL68924336'1''185lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Florida Panthers
NamePositionAgeLeagueGamesGAPHeightWeightStatus
Grigori DenisenkoW23AHL561224365'11''186lbsWaivedClaimed (VGK)
Matt KierstedLD25NHL201346'0''181lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Rasmus AsplundLW/C25NHL462685'11''185lbsWaivedUnclaimed
John LudvigLD23AHL54314176'1''213lbsWaivedClaimed (PIT)
Los Angeles Kings
NamePositionAgeLeagueGamesGAPHeightWeightStatus
Jaret Anderson-DolanFW24NHL4675125'11''200lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Samuel FagemoW23AHL56239326'0''200lbsWaivedClaimed (NSH)
Mikhail MaltsevC/LW25AHL281110216'3''198lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Tobias BjornfotLD22AHL5057126'0''200lbsOn Roster
Jacob MoverareLD25AHL62422266'3''210lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Minnesota Wild
NamePositionAgeLeagueGamesGAPHeightWeightStatus
Montreal Canadiens
NamePositionAgeLeagueGamesGAPHeightWeightStatus
Jesse YlonenW23NHL37610166'1''188lbsOn Roster
Lias AnderssonC/LW24AHL673128596'1''185lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Nicolas BeaudinLD23AHL42224265'11''168lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Nashville Predators
NamePositionAge
New Jersey Devils
NamePositionAgeLeagueGamesGAPHeightWeightStatus
Nolan FooteLW22AHL552017376'3''196lbsOn Roster
Cal FooteRD24NHL241346'5''224lbsWaivedUnclaimed
New York Islanders
NamePositionAgeLeagueGamesGAPHeightWeightStatus
Julien GauthierRW25NHL5795146'4''224lbsOn Roster
Samuel BolducLD22AHL561025356'4''220lbsOn Roster
Otto KoivulaFW25AHL461213256'5''225lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Arnaud DurandeauLW24AHL682431556'0''185lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Robin SaloLD24AHL38014146'2''190lbsWaivedUnclaimed
New York Rangers
NamePositionAgeLeagueGamesGAPHeightWeightStatus
Ty EmbersonRD23AHL69720276'1''195lbsWaivedClaimed (SJ)
Ottawa Senators
NamePositionAgeLeagueGamesGAPHeightWeightStatus
Mark KastelicC24NHL6574116'3''210lbsOn Roster
Jacob Bernard-DockerRD23AHL412466'0''190lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Egor SokolovLW23AHL702138596'3''222lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Philadelphia Flyers
NamePositionAgeLeagueGamesGAPHeightWeightStatus
Yegor ZamulaLD/RD23AHL44118196'3''176lbsOn Roster
Wade AllisonRW25NHL6096156'2''205lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Pittsburgh Penguins
NamePositionAgeLeagueGamesGAPHeightWeightStatus
Alexander NylanderW25AHL552525506'1''192lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Ty SmithLD/RD23AHL39717245'11''180lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Joona KoppanenLW/C25AHL641223356'5''216lbsWaivedUnclaimed
San Jose Sharks
NamePositionAgeLeagueGamesGAPHeightWeightStatus
Jacob PetersonLW/C24AHL521418326'1''180lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Seattle Kraken
NamePositionAgeLeagueGamesGAPHeightWeightStatus
Kole LindRW24AHL723032626'1''178lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Cale FleuryRD24NHL120116'1''204lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Marian StudenicW24AHL672127486'1''181lbsWaivedUnclaimed
St. Louis Blues
NamePositionAgeLeagueGamesGAPHeightWeightStatus
Nikita AlexandrovC22NHL283476'1''177lbsOn Roster
Tyler TuckerLD/RD23NHL261346'1''204lbsOn Roster
Tampa Bay Lightning
NamePositionAgeLeagueGamesGAPHeightWeightStatus
Logan BrownC/LW25NHL302466'6''218lbsInjured
Toronto Maple Leafs
NamePositionAgeLeagueGamesGAPHeightWeightStatus
Pontus HolbergC24NHL3758136'0''202lbsOn Roster
Simon BenoitLD24NHL7837106'3''203lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Maxime LajoieLD25AHL631134456'1''196lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Vegas Golden Knights
NamePositionAgeLeagueGamesGAPHeightWeightStatus
Pavel DorofeyevW22NHL187296'1''194lbsOn Roster
Paul CotterLW/C23NHL55135186'2''212lbsOn Roster
Brayden PachalRD24AHL55312156'2''203lbsOn Roster
Washington Capitals
NamePositionAgeLeagueGamesGAPHeightWeightStatus
Alexander AlexeyevLD/RD23NHL320556'4''213lbsOn Roster
Alex LimogesC/LW25AHL632034546'1''201lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Matthew PhillipsC25AHL663640765'8''165lbsOn Roster
Winnipeg Jets
NamePositionAgeLeagueGamesGAPHeightWeightStatus
David GustafssonLW/C23NHL460666'2''196lbsOn Roster
Axel Fjallby-JonssonLW25NHL5068146'1''189lbsWaivedUnclaimed
Declan ChisholmLD/RD23AHL59538436'1''185lbsOn Roster



@Peen, @WetcoastOrca, @vancityluongo, @Lindgren, @supercanuck, @Peter Griffin, @CanucksMJL
 
Last edited:

Peen

Rejoicing in a Benning-free world
Oct 6, 2013
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Look idk if any of these guys top out as anything more than #6D but there surely must be two guys on waivers or available for cheap in the next week that provide better utility than Brisebois & more experience than McWard.

those AHL reps handling a forecheck and rush matter.
 
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F A N

Registered User
Aug 12, 2005
19,519
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JBD has 2 years left on a 1-way deal which I’m guessing not many teams will want to touch.

jdb is another guy who has had infinite opportunity and done nothing with it. that's a pass for me

I'm kind of interested in JBD. Right shot defensive Dman who is an upgrade over Juulsen at the very least. Give McWard time in Abbotsford.
 

Vector

Moderator
Feb 2, 2007
27,712
47,114
Junktown
Look idk if any of these guys top out as anything more than #6D but there surely must be two guys on waivers or available for cheap in the next week that provide better utility than Brisebois & more experience than McWard.

those AHL reps handling a forecheck and rush matter.

Most of the guys on the list are going to be about Brisebois level right now and you hope some can grow a bit beyond that. I have no problem playing a 5/6 next to Hughes but McWard isn't even there yet.

Although John Ludvig sounds like he's a step up from Brisebois.
 

MS

1%er
Mar 18, 2002
55,909
92,416
Vancouver, BC
Most of the guys on the list are going to be about Brisebois level right now and you hope some can grow a bit beyond that. I have no problem playing a 5/6 next to Hughes but McWard isn't even there yet.

Although John Ludvig sounds like he's a step up from Brisebois.

As the guy hyping Ludvig, my only caveat would be that I didn't see him play last year, although his numbers look pretty solid.

I watched him in the WHL and then he played several games against Utica in his first pro season. And the guy was on the fast track to being a top-4 NHL D - big, mean, skilled, smart, mobile. Looked like an automatic NHLer, would have paid a fortune to get him in a trade. And then he missed the better part of 2 seasons through injury. So I don't have a perfect feel for how the injuries have affected his mobility etc. but damn, if he's anywhere near being back up to speed the guy is a player.

But also he's a LHD.
 
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theguardianII

Registered User
Jan 30, 2020
3,699
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So sad that the Canucks or their fans have to look to the waiver wire for more than just depth players or AHLer's to fill out that team.

The defence is THAT bad that cast offs are thought of as improvements.
 
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Peen

Rejoicing in a Benning-free world
Oct 6, 2013
31,481
27,754
The other interesting note with Coghlan is that Carolina had previous interest in Hoglander.

I don’t know what their fwd depth chart is but that’s a thing I’d be curious to watch out for.
 

Pastor Of Muppetz

Registered User
Oct 1, 2017
26,373
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So sad that the Canucks or their fans have to look to the waiver wire for more than just depth players or AHLer's to fill out that team.

The defence is THAT bad that cast offs are thought of as improvements.
Until they actually claim a player, how can you say they are desperate..?...Certainly weren't desperate at training camp when they didnt invite any PTO's.
 
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VanillaCoke

Registered User
Oct 30, 2013
26,233
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I'm kind of interested in JBD. Right shot defensive Dman who is an upgrade over Juulsen at the very least. Give McWard time in Abbotsford.
Every year there's upgrades for this poor prospect pool on waivers and every year we don't get them.

If three days ago Alvin traded juulsen and rathbone for JBD and sokolov, everyone would be saying thats a massive W..

These are free assets, we need to roll the dice on a few
 

biturbo19

Registered User
Jul 13, 2010
27,233
12,383
Jacob Bernard Docker and Jan Jenik would at least provide depth at center and on the blueline. And both guys were selected in the 2018 draft--so they're only 23.

But the Canucks are so tight to the cap, I just can't see it happening.

We're not in that big of a cap crunch anymore, that we couldn't pick up a guy like JBD at ~$800k. It'd essentially mean we're sending Brisebois down which very nearly washes on cap hit.
 

TruGr1t

Proper Villain
Jun 26, 2003
24,742
9,412
They need to do something, I'd expect probably at least one claim at the rate guys are hitting the wire. I'd frankly be surprised if they go into the season with the blueline as constructed and just wait for Bear.
 

VanJack

Registered User
Jul 11, 2014
22,661
16,143
Casting around for information of Jacob Bernard-Docker, I uncovered this commentary on one of the prospect sites:

"Bernard-Docker is a quality blueliner...he owns excellent mobility; projectable NHL size and an excellent shot from the point. He's capable of quarterbacking the power play; and has plenty of offensive acumen and shutdown ability too."

If the Canucks don't claim him, surely somebody will....or have waivers already expired on him?
 

MS

1%er
Mar 18, 2002
55,909
92,416
Vancouver, BC
Casting around for information of Jacob Bernard-Docker, I uncovered this commentary on one of the prospect sites:

"Bernard-Docker is a quality blueliner...he owns excellent mobility; projectable NHL size and an excellent shot from the point. He's capable of quarterbacking the power play; and has plenty of offensive acumen and shutdown ability too."

If the Canucks don't claim him, surely somebody will....or have waivers already expired on him?

That must be from when he was drafted.

JBD is a small, average-skating pure defensive defender who has 16 points in 130 career pro games.
 

arttk

Registered User
Feb 16, 2006
19,326
11,245
Los Angeles
Casting around for information of Jacob Bernard-Docker, I uncovered this commentary on one of the prospect sites:

"Bernard-Docker is a quality blueliner...he owns excellent mobility; projectable NHL size and an excellent shot from the point. He's capable of quarterbacking the power play; and has plenty of offensive acumen and shutdown ability too."

If the Canucks don't claim him, surely somebody will....or have waivers already expired on him?
Scouting reporting tends to be overly generous. it’s like a dating profile, like 30% true
 

Vector

Moderator
Feb 2, 2007
27,712
47,114
Junktown
Here’s Scott Wheeler’s, of The Athletic, scouting report from January 2022.

Had him at #4 on the prospect list.

This is where the list really begins to widen (I debated slotting all of the players ranked 4-9 here in about any order you could imagine). So consider the first three names in pen and the next few in pencil before we round out the list in pen at the tail end again. JBD’s game has always been better than his statical profile, which can make a player more difficult to explain to the non-diehard reader who isn’t in tune with his game. His game doesn’t have a ton of dimension to it but it also doesn’t really have any holes in it. His wrister comes off his blade hard and he does a good job crossing over through his footwork to place it through lanes or take space off the blue line. He’s a heads-up outlet passer who can stretch the ice. He plays through layers reasonably well as a passer. His stride is fairly powerful, pushing him through neutral ice to join or occasionally lead rushes. And then defensively, he’s an extremely impressive one-on-one defender, funneling carriers to the outside and playing physically on gaps at the right time. He’s also sound positionally within his own zone, rarely chasing the play or losing his man in coverage. He lacks power-play upside at the pro level but I see solid two-way value as an efficient No. 4-5 defenceman who can defend good players and penalty kill. He’s just an effective hockey player.

And here’s his report from last year.

The clock is now starting to tick on Bernard-Docker becoming the defensively reliable, complementary D partner that the Sens were hoping he’d become when they drafted him in the first round back in 2018. Whether he makes the jump full time or not, this will be his last year on this list because of his age. I still think he gets there, though. JBD’s game has always been better than his statical profile, which can make a player more difficult to explain.

His game doesn’t have a ton of dimension to it but it also doesn’t really have any holes in it. His wrister comes off his blade hard and he does a good job crossing over through his footwork to place it through lanes or take space off the blue line. He’s a heads-up outlet passer who can occasionally stretch the ice. He plays through layers fine as a passer. His stride is fairly powerful, pushing him through neutral ice to join or occasionally lead rushes.

And then defensively, he’s an impressive one-on-one defender, funneling carriers to the outside and playing physically on gaps at the right time. He’s also sound positionally within his own zone, rarely chasing the play or losing his man in coverage. He lacks soft skill for the NHL level but I still like him as a solid and effective no-fuss two-way third-pairing defenceman.
 

arttk

Registered User
Feb 16, 2006
19,326
11,245
Los Angeles
Here’s Scott Wheeler’s, of The Athletic, scouting report from January 2022.

Had him at #4 on the prospect list.

This is where the list really begins to widen (I debated slotting all of the players ranked 4-9 here in about any order you could imagine). So consider the first three names in pen and the next few in pencil before we round out the list in pen at the tail end again. JBD’s game has always been better than his statical profile, which can make a player more difficult to explain to the non-diehard reader who isn’t in tune with his game. His game doesn’t have a ton of dimension to it but it also doesn’t really have any holes in it. His wrister comes off his blade hard and he does a good job crossing over through his footwork to place it through lanes or take space off the blue line. He’s a heads-up outlet passer who can stretch the ice. He plays through layers reasonably well as a passer. His stride is fairly powerful, pushing him through neutral ice to join or occasionally lead rushes. And then defensively, he’s an extremely impressive one-on-one defender, funneling carriers to the outside and playing physically on gaps at the right time. He’s also sound positionally within his own zone, rarely chasing the play or losing his man in coverage. He lacks power-play upside at the pro level but I see solid two-way value as an efficient No. 4-5 defenceman who can defend good players and penalty kill. He’s just an effective hockey player.

And here’s his report from last year.

The clock is now starting to tick on Bernard-Docker becoming the defensively reliable, complementary D partner that the Sens were hoping he’d become when they drafted him in the first round back in 2018. Whether he makes the jump full time or not, this will be his last year on this list because of his age. I still think he gets there, though. JBD’s game has always been better than his statical profile, which can make a player more difficult to explain.

His game doesn’t have a ton of dimension to it but it also doesn’t really have any holes in it. His wrister comes off his blade hard and he does a good job crossing over through his footwork to place it through lanes or take space off the blue line. He’s a heads-up outlet passer who can occasionally stretch the ice. He plays through layers fine as a passer. His stride is fairly powerful, pushing him through neutral ice to join or occasionally lead rushes.

And then defensively, he’s an impressive one-on-one defender, funneling carriers to the outside and playing physically on gaps at the right time. He’s also sound positionally within his own zone, rarely chasing the play or losing his man in coverage. He lacks soft skill for the NHL level but I still like him as a solid and effective no-fuss two-way third-pairing defenceman.
Uhhh did he just copy and paste from his previous report
 

VanJack

Registered User
Jul 11, 2014
22,661
16,143
I guess the fact that the Canucks don't appear to have claimed anyone off waivers, is a sign of 'progress'.

When you study the teams putting in claims, they're most the NHL bottom feeders who are entering the season with huge holes in their lineup.

In seasons past, it always seemed that Jim Benning was scooping up somebody from the NHL bargain-bin. But then I suppose it was a sign the Canucks weren't very good.
 

RobertKron

Registered User
Sep 1, 2007
16,103
9,706
I guess the fact that the Canucks don't appear to have claimed anyone off waivers, is a sign of 'progress'.

When you study the teams putting in claims, they're most the NHL bottom feeders who are entering the season with huge holes in their lineup.

In seasons past, it always seemed that Jim Benning was scooping up somebody from the NHL bargain-bin. But then I suppose it was a sign the Canucks weren't very good.

I could be mistaken, but I don't believe the Canucks acquired a single player from waivers during the months of September or October for Benning's entire time as GM.
 

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