The Edmonton Oilers have made a move just before the roster freeze, placing forward Nathan Walker on waivers. In a corresponding move, the team has recalled Anton Slepyshev from the minor leagues and placed Oscar Klefbom on injured reserve. Walker was only claimed by the Oilers earlier this month, and will now be available once again to the rest of the league. If reclaimed by the Washington Capitals without any other team putting in a claim, Walker could be sent to the minor leagues immediately.
Walker, the first Australian to be drafted and play in the NHL, made his debut earlier this season when he suited up for the Capitals. Despite scoring in that first game, he played just six more games with the Capitals before hitting the waiver wire and moving up to Edmonton. In two games for the Oilers he’s been held scoreless, but still has some interesting upside for a team looking to add speed to their bottom-six.
Though technically the roster freeze will come into effect before Walker is through the waiver process, he can still be claimed by any team and report to them immediately. That could potentially give a team an extra player for the next week should they have the roster room, only to see him hit the wire once again after rosters are thawed out after Christmas.