Kasperi Kapanen was waived by the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday, becoming another intriguing player to be offered for free to other Bettman League teams in 2022-23.
Here are the five most attractive players to have been placed on waivers since the start of the season, but not claimed.
Matthew Phillips (forward)
All this talented small striker needs is an opportunity. He has 124 points in his last 111 American Hockey League games with the Stockton Heat. Since being drafted by the Calgary Flames in 2016, Phillips has had just over 32 minutes of use in the National Hockey League (NHL). He will become a restricted free agent at the end of the campaign, and it would not be surprising if he manages to reach his full potential elsewhere. After all, he is only 24 years old; a year younger than a certain Martin St-Louis when the Flames let him sign a contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning…
Jakub Vrana (striker)
The past year has been tumultuous to say the least for the Czech forward, the centerpiece of the deal that made Anthony Mantha a member of the Washington Capitals. After recovering from a serious shoulder injury, he joined the National Hockey League’s aid program and ultimately played just four games with the Detroit Red Wings in 2022-23. The reality of the salary cap has made this former 25-goal scorer much less attractive to other league leaders, as he will earn an annual salary of $5.25 million until 2024. He still has 21 points in his last 30 duels on the Bettman circuit.
Craig Smith (attaquant)
Included in the big trade that sent Dmitry Orlov and Garnet Hathaway to the Boston Bruins, Smith went on waivers last December. The 33-year-old athlete has experienced a dizzying drop in production this season, amassing 10 points in 42 duels with the “Oursons”. His average time also fell, by more than four minutes compared to last campaign, so that he was only used a little more than 10 minutes per match by Jim Montgomery. Once again, his salary of $3.1 million put other teams in the league in check. The former Nashville Predators still has 831 duels and five seasons of more than 20 goals behind the tie.
Mike Reilly (defender)
Like his ex-teammate Smith, Reilly has become a collateral victim of the Bruins’ monster success. He had established himself as one of the most important cogs in the Boston defensive squad when he was acquired from the Ottawa Senators in 2021, playing more than 21 minutes per game on the ice. His on-time melted like snow in the sun until he was demoted to the Providence Bruins, where he spent most of the 2022-23 season. Reilly, a former Montreal Canadiens, remains an excellent skater and an effective outbound player. His contract, which will allow him to receive $ 3 million until the end of next season, however, has destroyed his value in an era where every dollar counts.
Alex Nedeljkovic (gardien)
Rarely have we seen a candidate for the Calder trophy tumble so quickly. In 2021, the Red Wings signed him to a two-year deal worth a total of $6 million after acquiring him from the Carolina Hurricanes. The Ohio native, however, quickly realized that the Wings’ defense had nothing to do with that of the “Canes”, so much so that he was subject to waivers in his second year at Michigan. Still, Nedeljkovic has posted a .906 save percentage in 97 NHL games. One is entitled to wonder if he simply needs a fresh start to revive his career. He will have the opportunity this summer, when he will be entitled to full autonomy.
Formation of players who have been subject to waivers
Including the players who have been claimed, here’s what a roster made up entirely of players on waivers could look like in 2022-23.
Eeli Tolvanen – Craig Smith – Jakub Vrana
Sonny Milano – Matthew Phillips – Kasperi Kapanen
Nick Foligno – Emil Bemstrom – Rem Pitlick
Anthony Richard – Chris Tierney – Jordan Martinook
Mike Reilly – Philippe Myers
Juuso Valimaki – Johnathan Kovacevic
Josh Mahura – Libor Hajek
Alex Nedeljkovic
Cal Petersen
Chris Driedger