Five Players Hit Waivers Right Before the Trade Deadline, per Elliotte Friedman
As the action around the NHL continues to build on the eve of the NHL Trade Deadline, we've got multiple players that have landed on the waiver wire and now have 24 hours to clear.
It's shaping up to be an extremely busy NHL Trade Deadline - but as players are exchanged for one another, a handful of others have been made available free of charge.
Multiple players have been placed on waivers by their clubs, including Ryan Reaves of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Tyler Pitlick of the Boston Bruins, Riley Stillman of the Carolina Hurricanes, and Cameron Hebig of the Utah Hockey Club.
NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman reported the waiver assignments earlier today.
All players now have 24 hours to be claimed by another club, or they'll be assigned to the American Hockey League for their respective clubs.
Reaves is playing in the final year of a 3-year, $4.05 million deal he inked with the Leafs in 2023 to give them more of a physical presence, though he's been used sparingly this year, having played in only 35 games; he has a pair of assists and only a single fight while averaging less than 8 minutes per night.
The Leafs Were Urged To Waive Ryan Reaves By Noted Insider
Just days ago, The Athletic's James Mirtle urged the Leafs to part ways with Reaves.
Plus, coach Craig Berube played a similar role late in his career and values what Reaves does.
If they need to free up some cap space painlessly, however, they could waive Reaves' $1.35 million contract and get $1.15 million in relief by demoting him to the minors. Then recall him whenever injuries hit or once the cap lifts to start the playoffs.
Pitlick did not play with the Bruins this season, meanwhile Stillman recorded zero points in two games with the Hurricanes; he is the son of former NHL player Cory Stillman.
Hebig enjoyed a solid year in the AHL with Tucson, and hasn't played this season with the Utah HC, much like Pitlick.
With these five players being waived, it just means that it's only a matter of time before the deals start to come in.
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