Two Players Hit the Waiver Wire Today, Including a Surprise
As the NHL season rolls on, waivers get more and more surprising, and on Thursday we've seen a shock veteran waived along with a young Jets forward.
This NHL season has been one full of drama, shocking moments and surprising roster moves, and those continued on Thursday when two players were placed on waivers.
The first was Henri Nikkanen of the Winnipeg Jets, a 23-year old AHL forward, who has been placed on waivers for the purpose of contract termination by the Jets after failing to take steps forward in his development.
Then there was the big shocker, with veteran blue liner Travis Dermott waived by the Edmonton Oilers after primarily serving as their seventh defenseman throughout the year, with his versatility of being able to play on the left or right being very valuable to the team.
However, in 10 games played Dermott is yet to register a point while having a differential of -3, so it's highly unlikely that he gets claimed, giving the team more depth in their organization at the AHL level.
As for yesterday's waivers, just one of the three players placed on waivers has been claimed, as 30-year old Dakota Mermis has been claimed by the Utah Hockey Club, stealing him away from the Toronto Maple Leafs organization.
Mermis has yet to get into a game for the Maple Leafs this season, playing just three games with the team's AHL club the Toronto Marlies, and given the depth issues that Utah have had on their blue line, it's safe to say that this is a solid move for them.
The past few days have been very full on in the world of NHL waivers, and with the trade deadline rapidly approaching, some huge decisions have to be made by teams, so don't expect that to slow down anytime soon.
