A huge number of talented players were on waivers yesterday, but it appears that just two have been claimed. According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, the Arizona Coyotes have claimed goaltender Eric Comrie from the Winnipeg Jets, while Winnipeg themselves have picked up defenseman Carl Dahlstrom from the Chicago Blackhawks.
Comrie, 24, wasn’t the most accomplished goaltender on waivers yesterday, but does perhaps offer the most upside. Originally selected in the second round of the 2013 draft, the former WHL star has steadily improved his game in the minor leagues and posted a .917 save percentage in 47 games with the Manitoba Moose last season. The World Junior gold medalist can help the Coyotes deal with their early goaltending injuries, but it will be interesting to see if he lasts in the NHL long-term on a team that already has Antti Raanta and Darcy Kuemper locked into the top two spots. Because of that, Winnipeg may get a chance to reclaim him at some point.
Dahlstrom meanwhile may be in a much different situation. The Jets have lost a huge chunk of their defense corps this summer through trade (Jacob Trouba), free agency (Tyler Myers, Ben Chiarot) and potential retirement (Dustin Byfuglien), leaving Josh Morrissey and a relatively new cast of characters. Dahlstrom will offer another young option to try out after he played 38 games for the Blackhawks last season. The second-round pick stands 6’4″ 231-lbs, size that many of the Jets’ current defensemen are lacking.
With just the two claims, it means that players like Daniel Sprong, Casey DeSmith, Joshua Ho-Sang, Thomas Hickey and Sven Baertschi can all be assigned to the minor leagues. A setback for all of them as they try to continue their NHL careers.
I’ll never understand NHL waiver philosophy. Even if no other teams wanted players, there was better options for these two claiming teams (Djoos and DeSmith)
You could see WPG’s reasoning that Dahlstrom’s a bigger body than Djoos, so he might check off that wish list item in the event Big Buff doesn’t come back. DeSmith should be the easiest choice between he and Comrie, so not sure of their thinking on that one, unless is salary-related.
DeSmith is a AAAA goalie. No upside.
Suprised Ottawa or LA didn’t claim Baerschi.
DeSmith makes 300K more a year and his cap hit is 550k more than Comrie. You are prob right on the salary related thing.
OTT & LA both have cap room, but do you think they see Baertschi as damaged goods? He hasn’t exceeded 69 games in a season, but if he’s really healthy now, you’d think he’d be given some chance.
Good move from Winnipeg , in getting Dahlstrom , with issues on backend in the Peg’ , Dahlstrom will help out if given a chance,