A whopping 59 players placed on waivers by over 20 teams around the NHL

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Tyler Ball
October 6, 2024 (7:51 PM)

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Today was a massive day for NHL teams to finalize their roster heading into the 2024-25 season which resulted in 59 total players being placed on waivers.

Every year there is a day where most teams will place a mass amount of players on waivers. Generally, the number of players on waivers at its peak is around 30 to 40. Today this number skyrocketed as 59 total players were put on waivers for the purpose of being sent to the AHL.

Of all the names on the list, there are six former top prospects including Ryan Suzuki, Nolan Foote, Erik Brannstrom, Liam Foudy, Jaret Anderson-Dolan, and Shane Bowers. While all of these players were highly thought of at one point they do all come with various risks that led them to be on waivers.

Erik Brannstrom is a former top-20 pick who spent his entire career with the Ottawa Senators until this offseason. He was traded to the Vancouver Canucks who have now put him on waivers. Earlier today Brannstrom was then traded to the Vancouver Canucks who have now put him on waivers.

Ryan Suzuki and Jaret Anderson-Dolan likely come with the most upside of these players on waivers. Both have struggled with injuries throughout their careers but have been good when healthy. Ryan Suzuki has been stuck mostly in the AHL behind a deep Carolina Hurricanes team. Anderson-Dolan was signed by the Winnipeg Jets this offseason after struggling to crack the Los Angeles Kings roster. Both of these players are prime candidates to be claimed of all the young unproven players available.

Pierre Engvall headlines veterans on the waiver wire

There are not all that many good veteran options on waivers from this group of players. Likely the one who will get the most interest is Pierre Engvall.

Pierre Engvall spent one season with the Islanders in which he played 74 games and had 28 points. He was supposed to be a key cornerstone for the Islanders after he signed a long-term extension. However, after struggling he will now likely have a new home come tomorrow.

Over the next 24 hours, every team in the NHL will have an opportunity to claim these players. When the dust settles it will be interesting to see who gets another NHL opportunity and who gets sent to the AHL.