It’s that time of year again where the waiver wire is in full throttle in the NHL. Teams must meet the 5pm deadline to have their 23-man roster ready for opening night. This requires some tough decisions including placing some veteran players on waivers. Here are some of the guys who have been placed on waivers in the last 24 hours.
Dustin Tokarski and Mark Barberio
Late Monday morning, it was announced that the Montreal Canadiens have decided to place goalie Dustin Tokarski on waivers. Tokarski was given the backup role last season, where he played in 17 games behind Carey Price. Tokarski posted a 6-6-4 record with a .910 save percentage. This decision means Mike Condon will back-up Carey Price to start the season.
The Habs have also placed former Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mark Barberio on waivers. Barberio was signed earlier this summer by Marc Bergevin to a 1 year 2-way deal. Barberio scored a goal and 7 points in 52 games for the Lightning last season and dressed in 1 game during the Bolts cup final run.
Linden Vey and Frankie Corrado
The Vancouver Canucks have announced that they have put forward Linden Vey on waivers. Vey dressed for 75 games last year for the Canucks notching 10 goals and 24 points. He also played in one game for the Canucks in the playoffs. Vey was acquired from the Los Angeles Kings in the summer of 2014 for a second round pick.
The Canucks have also put defenseman Frankie Corrado on waivers. Corrado spent time last season between the Canucks and their AHL afiliate Utica Comets. He played 10 games for the Canucks last season where he notched his first NHL goal. With the Comets he scored 7 goals and 16 points in 35 games, and added another marker in the playoffs during an 18 game Comets playoff run. He is a Canucks’ fifth round pick from 2011.
Andrew MacDonald
The Philadelphia Flyers reportedly put Andrew MacDonald on waivers at noon eastern on Monday. MacDonald posted 2 goals and 12 points for the Flyers in 58 games last season. The 29 year old defenseman signed a 6 year 30 Million dollar deal in the summer of 2014. If MacDonald clears waivers the Flyers could save $950,000 on their salary cap by assigning him to their AHL affiliate.
“He’s an NHL player, but we’re in a jam here with a roster spot and a cap issue. We also have to put our best team on the ice,” said GM Ron Hextall, on the decision to send MacDonald down to the AHL.
Ben Scrivens
On Sunday, The Edmonton Oilers waived goaltender Ben Scrivens. Scrivens started in 57 games for the Oilers last season posting a 15-26-11 record with a .890 save percentage. Scrivens lost his starter spot this summer when the Oilers acquired Cam Talbot from the Rangers. The backup role to start the year will go to Anders Nilsson who was acquired in a trade from the Chicago Blackhawks. The decision of waiving Scrivens comes a day after Nikita Nikitin was placed on waivers. Nikitin has officially cleared and will start the year in Bakersfield. The Oilers will save 950,000$ on Nikitin’s 4.5M cap hit this season.
Stephane Robidas
According to reports, the Toronto Maple Leafs have reportedly told Stephane Robidas that he didn’t make the team. Robidas will be placed on IR for an injured knee. Then after he’ll be put on waivers. Robidas dressed for 52 games and scored a goal and 7 points for the Leafs last season. The 38 year old is in his second year of his 3 year 9M dollar contract he signed in the summer of 2014. Because of the 35+ rule the Leafs will only save 100,000$ on their cap rather than the usual 950,000$ for sending a one-way contract down.
Update: It appears the Leafs may choose to place Robidas on IR instead of waiving him.
Mason Raymond and Paul Byron
Raymond, who signed a three year, $9.45 million dollar deal ($3.15 million AAV) with the Flames last summer has been waived. He scored 12 goals and 23 points in 57 games for Calgary last year.
Paul Byron is on a one-year deal at $900,000. He also produced in limited time last year — 19 points in 57 games, but missed much of the second half with a sports hernia.
Max Talbot
The Bruins have waived Max Talbot, who is due 1.8 million in the final year of his deal. He scored 3 points in 18 games after the Bruins acquired him at the NHL trade deadline from Colorado last year.
Main Photo: PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 03: Andrew MacDonald #47 of the Philadelphia Flyers moves the puck against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the second period at the Wells Fargo Center on April 3, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
