April 6: Both players have cleared waivers and can be assigned to the taxi squad or minor leagues.
April 5: Two more players have hit waivers today, after Luke Johnson and Jacob de La Rose cleared today. The Chicago Blackhawks and Dallas Stars have placed Lucas Wallmark and Tanner Kero on waivers respectively according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.
Wallmark, 25, still doesn’t have a goal this season for the Blackhawks and has been limited to just three points in 16 games. Once a regular with the Carolina Hurricanes, he has become a part-time depth player with Chicago and, with the recent acquisition of Vinnie Hinostroza, on the outside looking in. With a cap hit of $950K there is a chance he is claimed, but it seems much more likey that Wallmark will clear and find himself on the taxi squad.
The same can be said about Kero, even if he has been playing well of late. The 28-year-old has five points in 20 games for the Stars this season, his first taste of NHL action since 2017-18. Given that Kero has already cleared waivers twice this season, Dallas should feel comfortable about putting him through again. If he isn’t claimed, he can once again bounce back and forth between the taxi squad and active roster, saving the team some cap on off days.
People in Raleigh were so butt hurt when Wallmark was traded for Trocheck. Wallmark is an average, at best, NHL player. Trocheck has blown up this season.
It wasn’t just because of Wallmark but because of it also including Haula,Luostarinen and Chase Priske. Fans didn’t like the 4 for 1 deal at the time.
Four guys who can’t play for a top 6 forward. Waddell wins again. Now, can’t wait to see what he can get for Reimer at the deadline.
8 goals from a rookie 4th line centre like Luostarinen is a lot more credit than you’re giving him.
“I’ll give you my car for your old toaster, a half open box of Cheerios, a sock with a hole in it and a very nice shoe but only one shoe because you lost the other one.”
“4 for 1? No way!” – Canes fans
Trocheck is a great player. He was gifted to the Panthers.
I can’t honestly say Wallmark has been given a fair shake in Chicago. Before his season could even get off, Suter and Kurashev were dazzling, and Hagel was giving everything he had every single play. If the Hawks could ever sufficiently explain what they see in playing David Kampf over literally anyone else on a nightly basis, it could supply some insight in why Wallmark is now an observer, while Vinnie Hinatroza takes even more minutes away from him.