It's that time of the year where teams are trying to figure out their best possible roster as they fight towards the tough latter half of the season and prepare themselves for a strong playoff push.
Unfortunately for some, this means those NHL dreams may have to come to an end, and while it's temporary, it doesn't lessen the sting. The waiver wire is the main source of action as players get called up or demoted depending on the situation.
So on Monday there were a trio of moves, with one playoff team making sure their roster is best prepared for a long run.
With both teams sitting in a playoff spot, the placement of these players on waivers isn't much of a surprise especially with the cap situation.
For Minnesota, who sits second in the Central they decided to part ways at least for now with Devin Shore and Ben Jones.
The 30-year old Shore only has a lone assist this season but has added 30 hits in 24 games, not finding much space on the Wild's roster. Then 10-year veteran has 51 goals in 467 games with time spent between Dallas, Anaheim, Edmonton, Columbus, Seattle, and Minnnesota.
Jones was in the midst of his first full season in the NHL.
He has no points and 10 penalty minutes this season but added 49 hits and 11 blocks in 25 games. He was selected in the 7th Round by Vegas in 2017.
Tampa Bay decided to part ways with Goncalves, who was also getting his first real taste of NHL action this season.
In 26 games with the Lightning he has one goal and one assist. The team drafted him in the second round in 2020 and is still only 23 years old, so will have ample time to get back into the league.
It remains to be seen if any team will place a claim on the three, but if they want to they will have until 2pm on Tuesday to do so.
POLL | ||
Who do you think will be claimed off waivers? | ||