As NHL teams trim their rosters before the regular season, The Athletic’s Corey Pronman and Harman Dayal will provide analysis of the top players placed on waivers every day. Once a player is waived, the rest of the league has 24 hours to put in a claim for him. If a player goes unclaimed, they can be assigned by their team to the minor leagues.
Saturday, Oct. 5
Kole Lind, RW, Dallas Stars
Josh Mahura, LHD, Seattle Kraken
Mahura is an excellent skater, which is why teams have continued to take chances on him. He can make a decent enough first pass, but I wouldn’t call him a natural offensive type. He’s average sized and not overly physical too, which has made him a tweener at the NHL level.—Pronman
Other players on waivers: Oscar Dansk (Ducks), T.J. Tynan (Avalanche), Chris Wagner (Avalanche), Kyle Capobianco (Stars), Magnus Hellberg (Stars), Cameron Hughes (Stars), Alexander Petrovic (Stars), Jacob Pettersson (Stars), Matt Kiersted (Panthers), Hunter Jones (Wild), Connor Mackey (Rangers), John Hayden (Kraken)
Friday, Oct. 4
Ethan Bear, RHD, Washington Capitals
Bear is a smooth-skating puck-mover. The 27-year-old right-shot defender was a competent No. 4/5 defender for the Canucks in 2022-23, which included some time on the top pair with Quinn Hughes. Vancouver was interested in re-signing him but he was forced to have shoulder surgery after getting hurt playing for Team Canada in the 2023 IIHF World Championship. Bear wasn’t going to be ready for the start of last season so the Canucks pivoted and Washington swooped in and signed Bear to a two-year contract. Bear appeared in 24 games with the Capitals last season — he struggled at times, with his underlying two-way numbers cratering. In late March, he entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program and was cleared to return approximately a month later.
The Caps are deep on the right side of the blue line with John Carlson, Matt Roy and Trevor van Riemsdyk, which left Bear as the odd man out. Bear can be suspect defensively at times, but he unquestionably has the mobility and puck skills to provide legitimate NHL value. The biggest risk for teams thinking about claiming Bear would be his $2.062 million cap hit, with his contract expiring at the end of the season.—Dayal
Samuel Poulin, LW, Pittsburgh Penguins
Poulin, drafted No. 21 in 2019, has some heavy, hard skill to his game. He hasn’t had the smoothest transition to pro hockey, largely because his footspeed is a concern. He also missed a large chunk of the 2022-23 season as he stepped away to take care of his mental health. Last season, he started to find his groove in the AHL, producing 31 points in 41 games. Poulin has projectable NHL tools if he can improve his skating.—Pronman
Other players on waivers: Jansen Harkins (Ducks), Michael DiPietro (Bruins), Vinni Lettieri (Bruins), Jordan Oesterle (Bruins), William Lockwood (Panthers), Taylor Ward (Kings), Justin Dowling (Devils), Mike Hardman (Devils), Samuel Laberge (Devils), Nathan Legare (Devils), Max Willman (Devils), Olle Lycksell (Flyers), Anthony Richard (Flyers), Emil Bemstrom (Penguins), Nathan Clurman (Penguins), Jonathan Gruden (Penguins), Joona Koppanen (Penguins), Filip Kral (Penguins), John Ludvig (Penguins), Matt Tomkins (Lightning), Alex Steeves (Maple Leafs), Luke Philp (Capitals), Michael Sgarbossa (Capitals)
Update: Defenseman John Ludvig was claimed by Colorado; the rest of the players cleared waivers.
Ludvig is a highly competitive defenseman with decent enough hockey sense. He’s likeable without the puck in his D-zone when he’s killing penalties or breaking up plays. His skating and skill are both just OK, though. He’s not a natural puck-mover by any means and lacks the pure talent to play at an NHL pace. He could be a useful depth defenseman in an organization.—Pronman
Thursday, Oct. 3
Simon Lundmark, RHD, Winnipeg Jets
Lundmark was a 2019 second-round pick by the Jets. He was picked that high because he’s a big right-shot defenseman who skates well. At the time I’m sure Winnipeg was hoping for some more offense or meanness to develop in his game, but he’s struggled to find a clear, definable NHL role for himself. He has tools that someone may be willing to take a chance on if they feel he can make a first pass at the top level.—Pronman
Nick Blankenburg, RHD, Nashville Predators
Blankenburg could be a genuinely intriguing project. The 26-year-old right defender is a thunderous body checker despite being listed at just 5-foot-9. He pairs that physicality with good skating ability and decent puck skills. Blankenburg looked like a legitimate NHL player whenever he suited up for the Blue Jackets. Blankenburg’s biggest problem is durability — he hasn’t played more than 40 games in a season since turning pro in 2021-22. It’s fair to wonder if he can sustain his aggressive, max-energy playing style at such a small size in the NHL.—Dayal
Other players on waivers: Jarred Tinordi (Flames), Dryden Hunt (Flames), Walker Duehr (Flames), Rasmus Asplund (Panthers), Jaycob Megna (Panthers), Zac Dalpe (Panthers), Tobias Bjornfot (Panthers), Cale Fleury (Kraken), Nick Abruzzese (Maple Leafs), Patrik Koch (Utah), Ben McCartney (Utah), Andrew Agozzino (Utah), Axel Jonsson-Fjallby (Jets), Mason Shaw (Jets), Dominic Toninato (Jets)
Update: All players cleared waivers.
Wednesday, Oct. 2
Calle Rosen, LHD, Colorado Avalanche
Rosen, a 6-foot-1 left-shot defender, was solid in 49 games for the Blues in 2022-23. He drove decent underlying numbers in a sheltered third-pair role and chipped in with 18 points. He played well enough to deserve another NHL crack as a depth defender, but he became a victim of the numbers game. Last fall, as colleague Jeremy Rutherford explained, the Blues didn’t want to risk losing Scott Perunovich or Tyler Tucker on waivers. Perunovich and Tucker were younger, higher potential defenders. Because of his older age and lack of upside, Rosen was waived and spent most of the year in the AHL. Now, on a loaded Colorado blue line, he couldn’t crack an NHL roster again.—Dayal
Other players on waivers: Spencer Martin (Hurricanes), Trey Fix-Wolansky (Blue Jackets), Calle Rosen (Avalanche), Matthew Phillips (Avalanche), Jack Ahcan (Avalanche), Cal Petersen (Flyers), Jimmy Huntington (Penguins), Marc Johnstone (Penguins), Mac Hollowell (Penguins), Bo Groulx (Rangers), Andrew Poturalski (Sharks), Scott Sabourin (Sharks)
Update: All players cleared waivers.
Tuesday, Oct. 1
Phil Di Giuseppe, LW, Vancouver Canucks
What a difference a year can make. Last fall, Di Giuseppe not only made the Canucks out of training camp but earned a top-six role alongside J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser. The 30-year-old left winger made a strong impression on Rick Tocchet because of his disruptive forecheck and reliable defensive play. Di Giuseppe was relegated to a fourth-line role as the season progressed but stuck in the NHL as a full-time contributor for the first time in his career. Now, he’s been cut after an offseason where the Canucks significantly upgraded their winger depth. Di Giuseppe could be a decent 12th/13th forward — he’s trustworthy without the puck and a solid forechecker.—Dayal
Other players on waivers: Carson Meyer (Ducks), Josh Dunne (Sabres), Felix Sandstrom (Sabres), Jack Rathbone (Sabres), Brett Murray (Sabres), Mason Jobst (Sabres), Colton Poolman (Sabres), Ilya Solovyov (Flames), Lane Pederson (Oilers), Ben Gleason (Oilers), Phil Kemp (Oilers), Collin Delia (Oilers), Jacob Moverare (Kings), Reese Johnson (Wild), Louis Domingue (Rangers), Anton Blidh (Rangers), Brandon Scanlin (Rangers), Casey Fitzgerald (Rangers), Gustav Olofsson (Kraken), Ales Stezka (Kraken), Ben Meyers (Kraken), Max McCormick (Kraken), Brandon Biro (Kraken), Jiri Patera (Canucks), Nate Smith (Canucks), Christian Wolanin (Canucks)
Update: Goalie Jiri Patera was claimed by Boston; the rest of the players cleared waivers.
With Jeremy Swayman still unsigned, the Bruins have landed extra goaltending insurance by claiming Patera from the Canucks. Patera posted a .903 save percentage in 25 AHL games last season, which seems underwhelming, but the Henderson Silver Knights weren’t a good team. He has a .902 save percentage in eight career NHL games with Vegas. Patera struggled during Canucks training camp. He was getting beat during rush drills very often and didn’t look comfortable. That may have provided extra impetus for Vancouver to sign Kevin Lankinen. However, Patera was very good during the preseason start he got a week ago against Calgary. Patera doesn’t look very big in the crease despite being listed at 6-foot-3 but has intriguing potential because of his powerful legs and movement.—Dayal
Monday, Sept. 30
Nikita Alexandrov, C, St. Louis Blues
Alexandrov has intrigued scouts at points due to his high skill level combined with a solid work ethic and ability to help at both ends of the ice. He makes and finishes plays well, and is quite effective inside the offensive zone. He’s average-sized with below-average skating, though, and while he’s played 51 games with the Blues, there are questions on how well his game translates to the NHL with his pace.—Pronman
Travis Boyd, C, Minnesota Wild
Boyd is a veteran right-shot center with nearly 300 games of NHL experience. During the Coyotes’ lean rebuilding years, Boyd was a decent middle-six stopgap, scoring in the 35-point range in back-to-back years. He was relegated to a fourth-line role last year, contributing eight points in 16 games before an injury ended his season. Boyd struggles in the faceoff circle and his two-way metrics aren’t great, but he’s demonstrated a long track record of contributing reliable secondary offence in a bottom-six NHL role.—Dayal
Other players on waivers: Jacob MacDonald (Avalanche), Cam Dineen (Oilers), Connor Carrick (Oilers), Jeff Malott (Kings), Devin Shore (Wild), Brendan Gaunce (Wild), Jimmy Schuldt (Sharks), Justin Bailey (Sharks), Kevin Connauton (Utah), Travis Barron (Utah)
Update: All players cleared waivers.
Sunday, Sept. 29
Vinnie Hinostroza, RW, Nashville Predators
Hinostroza is a plug-and-play option for depth offense. The speedy, undersized winger has scored five-on-five points at a bona fide middle-six clip over nearly 400 career NHL games. He’s a bit of a tweener, though; he isn’t dynamic enough to contribute on the power play and his lack of size and strength mean he’s not an ideal stylistic fit for many teams’ bottom six.—Dayal
Other players on waivers: Marc McLaughlin (Bruins), Justin Kirkland (Flames), Martin Frk (Flames), Zach Sanford (Blackhawks), Brett Seney (Blackhawks), Reilly Walsh (Kings), Tyler Madden (Kings), Joe Hicketts (Kings), Glenn Gawdin (Kings), Joseph Cecconi (Wild), Cameron Crotty (Wild), Adam Raska (Wild), Lucas Condotta (Canadiens), Brandon Gignac (Canadiens), Matt Murray (Predators), Kieffer Bellows (Predators), Hunter Skinner (Blues), Hugh McGing (Blues), MacKenzie MacEachern (Blues), Mathias Laferriere (Blues), Derrick Pouliot (Lightning), Tobie Paquette-Bisson (Lightning)
Update: All players cleared waivers.
Saturday, Sept. 28
Grigori Denisenko, LW, Vegas Golden Knights
Drafted No. 15 by Florida in 2018, Denisenko’s initial transition to North American pro hockey was bumpy. The skilled but slightly undersized winger produced at a solid but unspectacular clip in the AHL through three seasons between 2020-21 and 2022-23 and struggled during his brief opportunities with the Panthers in the NHL. Vegas claimed him off waivers last fall.
Denisenko, 24, took a significant step in the AHL last year, producing 56 points in 65 games, although he still couldn’t stick in the NHL, as he went pointless in six games for the Golden Knights. Denisenko is a crafty, slick offensive creator and the step forward he took last season could be a sign that he still has some untapped upside.—Dayal
Other players on waivers: Jonathan Aspirot (Flames), Clark Bishop (Flames), Keaton Middleton (Avalanche), Wyatt Aamodt (Avalanche), Kevin Mandolese (Avalanche), Maxime Lajoie (Kraken), Anthony Angello (Predators), Kevin Gravel (Predators), Jake Lucchini (Predators), Tyce Thompson (Islanders), Egor Sokolov (Utah), Callahan Burke (Golden Knights), Mason Geertsen (Golden Knights), Dysin Mayo (Golden Knights), Gage Quinney (Golden Knights), Robert Hagg (Golden Knights), Mason Morelli (Golden Knights), Ethen Frank (Capitals), Riley Sutter (Capitals), Alex Limoges (Capitals), Chase Priskie (Capitals), Hardy Häman Aktell (Capitals)
Update: All players cleared waivers.
Friday, Sept. 27
Ronnie Attard, RHD, Philadelphia Flyers
Attard has played games in each of the last three NHL seasons but hasn’t broken through yet as a full-time player. He’s a big right-shot with good offensive skills and can play both ways due to his frame and compete. He isn’t an amazing skater, though, and his decision making has given him issues over the years.—Pronman
Other players on waivers: Louie Belpedio (Flyers), Rhett Gardner (Flyers), Hayden Hodgson (Senators), Cole Reinhardt (Senators), Jamieson Rees (Senators), Garrett Pilon (Senators), Nikolas Matinpalo (Senators), Maxence Guenette (Senators), Jeremy Davies (Senators), Luke Henman (Kraken), Nikolas Brouillard (Kraken), Zach Sawchenko (Blue Jackets), Jake Leschyshyn (Rangers), Ben Harpur (Rangers), Alex Belzile (Rangers)
Update: All players cleared waivers.
(Photo of Kole Lind: Matthew Pearce / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
