Its a busy Friday in the NHL.
Several NHL teams have made waiver moves. Further evidence that today's NHL is a young man's game.
These are the first of many roster moves relating to veteran NHLers. I expect many of these players to clear waivers by the middle of the day on Saturday.
The Friday waiver wire looks like a Buffalo Sabres reunion roster. Former Sabres Matt Moulson, Jordan Nolan, Brian Flynn, Chris Butler, T.J. Brennan and Phil Varone are now in hockey limbo.
Waivers:
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) September 21, 2018
Buffalo
-Matt Moulson
Chicago
-Jordan Schroeder
-Andrew Campbell
Pittsburgh
-Frederik Tiffels (Unconditional)
Vegas
-Zachary Leslie
Oscar Dansk
Alex Gallant
Florida
-Michael Hutchinson
-Paul Thompson
-Ludwig Bystromhttps://t.co/Py76o9jtAs
Waivers Contd:
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) September 21, 2018
Philadelphia
-Philip Varone
-Danick Martel
-Greg Carey
T.J Brennan
Cole Bardreau
Vancouver
-Tanner Kero
-Richard Bachman
St. Louis
-Jordan Nolan
-Brian Flynn
-Tyler Wotherspoon
-Chris Butler
-Jordan Binnington
-Joey LaLeggiahttps://t.co/Py76o9jtAs
Waivers final:
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) September 21, 2018
Edmonton
-Mitchell Callahan
-Ryan Stantonhttps://t.co/Py76o9jtAs
Moulson is an interesting case.
He struggled mightily in Buffalo last season scoring zero points in 14 games. Sabres GM Jason Botterill loaned Moulson to the LA Kings AHL affiliate in Ontario where the veteran scorer pumped in 18 goals and 26 assists in the 49 games he played in The A.
To his credit, Moulson accepted the demotion like a pro. Rather than piss and moan about it, he he went to work every day with a massive chip on his shoulder like a proud NHL vet should do.
Despite being planted in the AHL, Moulson will still count $3.975 million against Botterill's salary cap in 2018-19. Were Moulson to be claimed by an NHL team, say, the Toronto Maple Leafs, Botterill would be smiling ear to ear due to the eased pressure on this season's salary cap.
Why would the Leafs want Moulson?
Because John Tavares and Moulson are the best of friends. Moulson and Tavares are Toronto guys. They played brilliantly together for the NY Islanders. In five seasons playing with JT91 on Long Island, Moulson scored 118 goals and 105 assists for 223 points in 304 regular season games. Moulson average .73 points per game while rolling with Tavares and the Islanders.
In 650 career NHL regular season games, Moulson has accumulated 176 goals and 193 assists for 369 points. He has 64 power play goals and 60 power play assists.
Leafs GM Kyle Dubas would be wise to inquire about Moulson before he gets snatched off waivers by another NHL team. Moulson is entering the final season of his five year, $25 million contract.
Where better to take one last victory lap than in your hometiwn playing beside your best friend?
I was thinking that as well, then I realised that Moulson turns 35 on Nov 1st
— Kevin Gibson (@TSNResearch) September 21, 2018
88 glorious degrees in Buffalo. Salubrious hockey weather! Time to compost some Leafs @BuffaloSabres pic.twitter.com/SOtXM4xLDA
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) September 21, 2018