NHL Waiver Wire: Analyzing Top Players on Waivers
As the NHL gears up for the regular season, teams are busy trimming their rosters, leading to a flurry of activity on the waiver wire. Each day, The Athletic’s Corey Pronman and Harman Dayal provide keen insights into the players who find themselves on waivers, offering a glimpse into their potential future in the league. Once a player is placed on waivers, other teams have a 24-hour window to claim them. If unclaimed, these players may be assigned to their respective minor league teams, creating a dynamic landscape for both players and franchises.
Monday, Sept. 30
Nikita Alexandrov, C, St. Louis Blues
Nikita Alexandrov has caught the attention of scouts due to his impressive skill set and strong work ethic. He excels in making plays and finishing them, particularly in the offensive zone. However, his average size and below-average skating raise questions about his ability to keep pace in the NHL. Despite having played 51 games with the Blues, concerns linger about how well his game will translate to the higher level of competition. As Pronman notes, Alexandrov’s potential remains intriguing, but his skating may hinder his progress.
Travis Boyd, C, Minnesota Wild
A veteran presence with nearly 300 NHL games under his belt, Travis Boyd has been a reliable middle-six option during his tenure with the Coyotes. Scoring around 35 points in consecutive seasons, Boyd’s contributions were curtailed last year due to a fourth-line role and an injury that limited him to just 16 games. While he struggles in the faceoff circle and has subpar two-way metrics, Dayal highlights Boyd’s consistent ability to provide secondary offense, making him a valuable asset for teams seeking depth.
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)
Sunday, Sept. 29
Vinnie Hinostroza, RW, Nashville Predators
Vinnie Hinostroza is a versatile option for teams looking to add depth scoring. Known for his speed, the undersized winger has managed to produce points at a solid middle-six rate over nearly 400 career NHL games. However, Dayal points out that Hinostroza is somewhat of a tweener; he lacks the dynamism for power play contributions and his size may not fit the mold for many teams’ bottom-six roles.
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)
Update: All players cleared waivers.
Saturday, Sept. 28
Grigori Denisenko, LW, Vegas Golden Knights
Drafted 15th overall by Florida in 2018, Grigori Denisenko has faced challenges in his transition to North American hockey. While he showed promise in the AHL, producing 56 points in 65 games last season, his NHL opportunities have been limited, going pointless in six games for the Golden Knights. Dayal notes that Denisenko is a crafty offensive creator, and his recent AHL success could indicate untapped potential waiting to be unlocked.
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
Ronnie Attard has seen action in each of the last three NHL seasons but has yet to secure a full-time role. A big right-shot defenseman, Attard possesses solid offensive skills and can contribute on both ends of the ice. However, his skating and decision-making have been points of concern, as noted by Pronman. As teams look to solidify their defensive corps, Attard’s potential could be appealing for those in need of a right-handed shot.
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.
As the waiver wire continues to churn, teams will be keeping a close eye on these players, weighing their potential contributions against their current roster needs. The coming days will reveal whether any of these players find new homes or continue their journeys in the minors.