NHL teams have already started placing players on waivers — aka the graveyard of players you were once very excited about — as they prepare to get their rosters cut down to the required size. Teams sometimes use this time of year to pluck a player off waivers who fits an immediate need and who they think could benefit from a new organization. I’ve highlighted a few players I think could be of interest to NHL organizations. This does not mean these players will for sure be on waivers, but I think there’s a good enough chance to warrant a discussion.
Josh Mahura, LHD, Anaheim
Mahura was in and out of the Ducks lineup last season. After the additions of Dmitry Kulilov and Olli Juolevi, Mahura will likely get squeezed out of the lineup. He’s a strong skater who can make a good first pass so I’ve always thought he could make it work as a third pair defenseman, but he doesn’t really stand out at either end to have a defined role. He has tools to work with, and I could see another organization trying to gamble on him.
Connor Mackey and Juuso Valimaki, LHD, Calgary
Mackey and Valimaki are likely battling for the same roster spot in Calgary. Mackey was a top and highly sought after college free agent at Minnesota State.
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