2023 Interesting Potential Waiver Claims

[Vector]

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.

Spoiler: Waiver Eligible Players

Anaheim Ducks
Name	Position	Age	League	Games	G	A	P	Height	Weight	Status
Brett Leason	RW	24	NHL	54	6	3	9	6'5''	218lbs	On Roster
Benoit-Olivier Groulx	C	23	AHL	63	18	21	39	6'2''	200lbs	On Roster
Arizona Coyotes
Name	Position	Age	League	Games	G	A	P	Height	Weight	Status
John Leonard	W	25	AHL	67	17	27	44	5'11''	196lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Cameron Crotty	RD	24	AHL	64	1	12	13	6'3''	182lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Boston Bruins
Name	Position	Age	League	Games	G	A	P	Height	Weight	Status
Jesper Boqvist	FW	24	NHL	70	10	11	21	6'0''	180lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Ian Mitchell	RD	24	NHL	35	1	7	8	5'11''	173lbs	On Roster
Jakub Lauko	W	23	NHL	23	4	3	7	6'0''	196lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Alec Regula	RD	23	AHL	51	5	16	21	6'4''	208lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Reilly Walsh	RD	24	AHL	71	9	32	41	6'0''	185lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Buffalo Sabres
Name	Position	Age	League	Games	G	A	P	Height	Weight	Status
Brett Murray	LW	25	AHL	71	23	26	49	6'5''	228lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Brandon Biro	LW	25	AHL	49	16	35	51	5'11''	170lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Kale Clague	LD/RD	25	NHL	33	0	4	4	6'0''	190lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Calgary Flames
Name	Position	Age	League	Games	G	A	P	Height	Weight	Status
Benjamin Jones	C	24	AHL	71	17	37	54	6'0''	187lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Martin Pospisil	RW	23	AHL	20	4	6	10	6'2''	173lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Carolina Hurricanes
Name	Position	Age	League	Games	G	A	P	Height	Weight	Status
Dylan Coghlan	RD	25	NHL	17	0	3	3	6'2''	208lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Chicago Blackhawks
Name	Position	Age	League	Games	G	A	P	Height	Weight	Status
Mackenzie Entwistle	LW/C	24	NHL	66	4	6	10	6'3''	184lbs	On Roster
Boris Katchouk	LW/C	25	NHL	58	5	11	16	6'2''	206lbs	On Roster
Reese Johnson	RW/C	25	NHL	57	4	2	6	6'1''	193lbs	On Roster
Colorado Avalanche
Name	Position	Age	League	Games	G	A	P	Height	Weight	Status
Riley Tufte	LW	25	AHL	63	19	16	35	6'6''	220lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Keaton Middleton	LD	25	AHL	72	3	20	23	6'6''	240lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Columbus Blue Jackets
Name	Position	Age	League	Games	G	A	P	Height	Weight	Status
Emil Bemstrom	W	24	NHL	55	7	15	22	6'0''	193lbs	On Roster
Liam Foudy	LW/C	23	NHL	62	7	7	14	6'2''	188lbs	On Roster
Joshua Dunne	C	24	AHL	65	20	17	37	6'4''	204lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Trey Fix-Wolansky	RW	24	AHL	61	29	42	71	5'7''	186lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Marcus Bjork	RD	25	NHL	33	3	8	11	6'3''	203lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Jake Christensen	LD/RD	24	NHL	24	0	4	4	6'0''	186lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Dallas Stars
Name	Position	Age	League	Games	G	A	P	Height	Weight	Status
Nicholas Caamano	W	25	AHL	29	2	9	11	6'5''	205lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Fredrik Karlstrom	C	25	AHL	47	10	16	26	6'3''	195lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Detroit Red Wings
Name	Position	Age	League	Games	G	A	P	Height	Weight	Status
Jared McIsaac	LD	23	AHL	61	3	19	22	6'1''	192lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Tim Gettinger	W	25	AHL	52	13	22	35	6'6''	222lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Edmonton Oilers
Name	Position	Age	League	Games	G	A	P	Height	Weight	Status
Raphael Lavoie	RW/C	22	AHL	61	25	20	45	6'4''	196lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Markus Niemelainen	LD	25	NHL	23	0	0	0	6'6''	190lbs	Injured
Philip Kemp	RD	24	AHL	71	6	15	21	6'3''	202lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Cam Dineen	LD	25	AHL	69	6	41	47	5'11''	188lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Benjamin Gleason	LD	25	AHL	68	9	24	33	6'1''	185lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Florida Panthers
Name	Position	Age	League	Games	G	A	P	Height	Weight	Status
Grigori Denisenko	W	23	AHL	56	12	24	36	5'11''	186lbs	Waived	Claimed (VGK)
Matt Kiersted	LD	25	NHL	20	1	3	4	6'0''	181lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Rasmus Asplund	LW/C	25	NHL	46	2	6	8	5'11''	185lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
John Ludvig	LD	23	AHL	54	3	14	17	6'1''	213lbs	Waived	Claimed (PIT)
Los Angeles Kings
Name	Position	Age	League	Games	G	A	P	Height	Weight	Status
Jaret Anderson-Dolan	FW	24	NHL	46	7	5	12	5'11''	200lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Samuel Fagemo	W	23	AHL	56	23	9	32	6'0''	200lbs	Waived	Claimed (NSH)
Mikhail Maltsev	C/LW	25	AHL	28	11	10	21	6'3''	198lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Tobias Bjornfot	LD	22	AHL	50	5	7	12	6'0''	200lbs	On Roster
Jacob Moverare	LD	25	AHL	62	4	22	26	6'3''	210lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Minnesota Wild
Name	Position	Age	League	Games	G	A	P	Height	Weight	Status
Montreal Canadiens
Name	Position	Age	League	Games	G	A	P	Height	Weight	Status
Jesse Ylonen	W	23	NHL	37	6	10	16	6'1''	188lbs	On Roster
Lias Andersson	C/LW	24	AHL	67	31	28	59	6'1''	185lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Nicolas Beaudin	LD	23	AHL	42	2	24	26	5'11''	168lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Nashville Predators
Name	Position	Age
New Jersey Devils
Name	Position	Age	League	Games	G	A	P	Height	Weight	Status
Nolan Foote	LW	22	AHL	55	20	17	37	6'3''	196lbs	On Roster
Cal Foote	RD	24	NHL	24	1	3	4	6'5''	224lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
New York Islanders
Name	Position	Age	League	Games	G	A	P	Height	Weight	Status
Julien Gauthier	RW	25	NHL	57	9	5	14	6'4''	224lbs	On Roster
Samuel Bolduc	LD	22	AHL	56	10	25	35	6'4''	220lbs	On Roster
Otto Koivula	FW	25	AHL	46	12	13	25	6'5''	225lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Arnaud Durandeau	LW	24	AHL	68	24	31	55	6'0''	185lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Robin Salo	LD	24	AHL	38	0	14	14	6'2''	190lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
New York Rangers
Name	Position	Age	League	Games	G	A	P	Height	Weight	Status
Ty Emberson	RD	23	AHL	69	7	20	27	6'1''	195lbs	Waived	Claimed (SJ)
Ottawa Senators
Name	Position	Age	League	Games	G	A	P	Height	Weight	Status
Mark Kastelic	C	24	NHL	65	7	4	11	6'3''	210lbs	On Roster
Jacob Bernard-Docker	RD	23	AHL	41	2	4	6	6'0''	190lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Egor Sokolov	LW	23	AHL	70	21	38	59	6'3''	222lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Philadelphia Flyers
Name	Position	Age	League	Games	G	A	P	Height	Weight	Status
Yegor Zamula	LD/RD	23	AHL	44	1	18	19	6'3''	176lbs	On Roster
Wade Allison	RW	25	NHL	60	9	6	15	6'2''	205lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Pittsburgh Penguins
Name	Position	Age	League	Games	G	A	P	Height	Weight	Status
Alexander Nylander	W	25	AHL	55	25	25	50	6'1''	192lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Ty Smith	LD/RD	23	AHL	39	7	17	24	5'11''	180lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Joona Koppanen	LW/C	25	AHL	64	12	23	35	6'5''	216lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
San Jose Sharks
Name	Position	Age	League	Games	G	A	P	Height	Weight	Status
Jacob Peterson	LW/C	24	AHL	52	14	18	32	6'1''	180lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Seattle Kraken
Name	Position	Age	League	Games	G	A	P	Height	Weight	Status
Kole Lind	RW	24	AHL	72	30	32	62	6'1''	178lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Cale Fleury	RD	24	NHL	12	0	1	1	6'1''	204lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Marian Studenic	W	24	AHL	67	21	27	48	6'1''	181lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
St. Louis Blues
Name	Position	Age	League	Games	G	A	P	Height	Weight	Status
Nikita Alexandrov	C	22	NHL	28	3	4	7	6'1''	177lbs	On Roster
Tyler Tucker	LD/RD	23	NHL	26	1	3	4	6'1''	204lbs	On Roster
Tampa Bay Lightning
Name	Position	Age	League	Games	G	A	P	Height	Weight	Status
Logan Brown	C/LW	25	NHL	30	2	4	6	6'6''	218lbs	Injured
Toronto Maple Leafs
Name	Position	Age	League	Games	G	A	P	Height	Weight	Status
Pontus Holberg	C	24	NHL	37	5	8	13	6'0''	202lbs	On Roster
Simon Benoit	LD	24	NHL	78	3	7	10	6'3''	203lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Maxime Lajoie	LD	25	AHL	63	11	34	45	6'1''	196lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Vegas Golden Knights
Name	Position	Age	League	Games	G	A	P	Height	Weight	Status
Pavel Dorofeyev	W	22	NHL	18	7	2	9	6'1''	194lbs	On Roster
Paul Cotter	LW/C	23	NHL	55	13	5	18	6'2''	212lbs	On Roster
Brayden Pachal	RD	24	AHL	55	3	12	15	6'2''	203lbs	On Roster
Washington Capitals
Name	Position	Age	League	Games	G	A	P	Height	Weight	Status
Alexander Alexeyev	LD/RD	23	NHL	32	0	5	5	6'4''	213lbs	On Roster
Alex Limoges	C/LW	25	AHL	63	20	34	54	6'1''	201lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Matthew Phillips	C	25	AHL	66	36	40	76	5'8''	165lbs	On Roster
Winnipeg Jets
Name	Position	Age	League	Games	G	A	P	Height	Weight	Status
David Gustafsson	LW/C	23	NHL	46	0	6	6	6'2''	196lbs	On Roster
Axel Fjallby-Jonsson	LW	25	NHL	50	6	8	14	6'1''	189lbs	Waived	Unclaimed
Declan Chisholm	LD/RD	23	AHL	59	5	38	43	6'1''	185lbs	On Roster

@Peen, @WetcoastOrca, @vancityluongo, @Lindgren, @supercanuck, @Peter Griffin, @CanucksMJL

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[Hooz]

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.

Why wait for a player to hit waivers when you can pay a 2nd to aquire them right before they’re waived?

 

[biturbo19]

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.

That's definitely from way back, as a draft profile of what he "might become". Rather than what he's actually become.

That said...describing him as a "small, average skating defensive defender" somehow feels overly harsh. Even though it's technically pretty true. It still conjures the image of a different player than JBD is.

He's a little bit below average size, but i don't know that i'd outright call him "small". He's close enough to hovering around that average that it's not like a "small" that is a standout quality. Sort of the same with his skating. It is very average. But it's not a a real liability.

He's just a very unremarkable, very "medium" player without any particular standout traits. Doesn't really have that obvious glaring "fatal flaw" the other way either though.

I think there's at least a shred of reason to believe that might be serviceable with Hughes. Biggest thing you need there is to..."not mess up too badly". That's more or less the bar we've got set there.

 

[VanJack]

The Sens must have a stacked lineup, or maybe mediocre scouting. But whatever it is, they placed two former first round draft picks on waivers this week. Lassi Thompson (claimed by Anaheim) and now Jacob Bernard Docker, who might be claimed only because he was once drafted so highly.

And I know one thing.....if it was the Canucks shedding former first round picks via the waiver wire, this Board would be going ballistic.

 

[rypper]

The Sens must have a stacked lineup, or maybe mediocre scouting. But whatever it is, they placed two former first round draft picks on waivers this week. Lassi Thompson (claimed by Anaheim) and now Jacob Bernard Docker, who might be claimed only because he was once drafted so highly.

And I know one thing.....if it was the Canucks shedding former first round picks via the waiver wire, this Board would be going ballistic.

They were both drafted 4-5 years ago and were taken late in the first. It's basically like the Canucks dumping Juolevi when they did and he was a top 5 pick. Nobody went ballistic because at that point it was clear he was busting.

 

[andora]

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.

It happens all over the place.. shiny toy, even good teams fans

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?

And he hasnt been able to show that with who ottawa has iced?

 

[F A N]

That's definitely from way back, as a draft profile of what he "might become". Rather than what he's actually become.

That said...describing him as a "small, average skating defensive defender" somehow feels overly harsh. Even though it's technically pretty true. It still conjures the image of a different player than JBD is.

He's a little bit below average size, but i don't know that i'd outright call him "small". He's close enough to hovering around that average that it's not like a "small" that is a standout quality. Sort of the same with his skating. It is very average. But it's not a a real liability.

He's just a very unremarkable, very "medium" player without any particular standout traits. Doesn't really have that obvious glaring "fatal flaw" the other way either though.

I think there's at least a shred of reason to believe that might be serviceable with Hughes. Biggest thing you need there is to..."not mess up too badly". That's more or less the bar we've got set there.

Agreed. He's Woo's height (very slightly taller) and isn't Hirose slim. He lacks ideal size but close enough. I like him and would give him a chance. Defensive Dmen without standout NHL traits can be underappreciated.

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.

I've said this before but a poster or two keeps repeating the same misinformation. It was Gillis who liked to save room for late camp acquisitions. Benning tended to pick up veteran players off waivers later in the season more or less as injury fill-ins/improve the roster.

 

[Vector]

I've said this before but a poster or two keeps repeating the same misinformation. It was Gillis who liked to save room for late camp acquisitions. Benning tended to pick up veteran players off waivers later in the season more or less as injury fill-ins/improve the roster.

Ehhhhhh...let's not go crazy.

 

[racerjoe]

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

No you don't... they are contract slots, and you have to waive the chance of hitting on one of them vs hitting on college UFA's or any number of ways of making your club better that you need a contract slot for.

This isn't to say we shouldn't try for some, just it shouldn't be lets grab all these guys from waivers.

 

[Vector]

 

[LemonSauceD]

In before someone sarcastically mentions they weren’t surprised.

 

[Vector]

Not a looker among'em.

 

[SeawaterOnIce]

Not a looker among'em.

The dream of a return is dead.

 

[wonton15]

Too bad Cal Foote sucks and doesn’t want to play for his dad

 

[bossram]

So no claim on JBD. That's interesting.

 

[MS]

So no claim on JBD. That's interesting.

That contract was a big risk for a fringe player. If you get the evaluation wrong, you're paying $2 million for an AHLer over the next two years.

The guys who have been claimed are all on two-way deals so low-risk, plus Harkins who has a lot of NHL experience and 1 year on a 1-way so a pretty safe bet.

 

[Pastor Of Muppetz]

Too bad Cal Foote sucks and doesn’t want to play for his dad

Top 15 pick and on waivers at 24.

 

[StreetHawk]

Top 15 pick and on waivers at 24.

Once you are gone from the team that drafted you or there is a regime change, your draft position means nothing. All about whether you can play or not.

 

[Ita]

Does anyone know why we didn't put a claim on Ty Smith? Isn't he at least worth a shot, given our poor depth?

 

[Vector]

Does anyone know why we didn't put a claim on Ty Smith? Isn't he at least worth a shot, given our poor depth?

He’s not good. Undersized and not a good skater.

 

[Ita]

He’s not good. Undersized and not a good skater.

I clearly remember back in 2021, a Devils fan said in a trade thread that he would not trade Ty Smith straight up for QH. Kind of stuck with me because even back then, it was an unforgettable hot take.

 

[VanillaCoke]

Hopefully with all the players clearing waivers the trade options open up.

 

[MarkMM]

I clearly remember back in 2021, a Devils fan said in a trade thread that he would not trade Ty Smith straight up for QH. Kind of stuck with me because even back then, it was an unforgettable hot take.

Dig it up and re-post bump that thread.

 

[StreetHawk]

Hopefully with all the players clearing waivers the trade options open up.

could be a contract for contract situation and the player who cleared waivers would then remain in the A. Give a couple of guys a fresh start.

 

[F A N]

That contract was a big risk for a fringe player. If you get the evaluation wrong, you're paying $2 million for an AHLer over the next two years.

The guys who have been claimed are all on two-way deals so low-risk, plus Harkins who has a lot of NHL experience and 1 year on a 1-way so a pretty safe bet.

Lol. Big risk? You always like to make a big deal out of these small things.

JBD was a former high pick RHD that was tracking well. He played well enough to put himself in a position where he was expected to make the team. Even if you disagree, he was highly regarded by his coach in the AHL so he's at least valuable depth. Could they have squeezed him? Sure. Maybe they gave him that contract on purpose to decrease the risk of him being claimed should he hit waivers?

 

[MS]

Lol. Big risk? You always like to make a big deal out of these small things.

JBD was a former high pick RHD that was tracking well. He played well enough to put himself in a position where he was expected to make the team. Even if you disagree, he was highly regarded by his coach in the AHL so he's at least valuable depth. Could they have squeezed him? Sure. Maybe they gave him that contract on purpose to decrease the risk of him being claimed should he hit waivers?

Huh?

Teams have budgets and they don't want to get stuck paying a guy $1 million to play in the AHL unnecessarily. That is not an attractive contract for a fringe waiver-claim level player who scored 6 points in the AHL last year.