The Los Angeles Kings have waived defenseman Christian Wolanin, per TSN’s Chris Johnston. In all likelihood, the roster move means that defenseman Olli Maatta is healthy and will be activated from injured reserve.
Wolanin, now 26, could certainly be a candidate to get picked up on the waiver wire considering the claim of Dennis Cholowski yesterday. Wolanin’s been fairly productive over a sparse four-season career in the NHL, posting five goals and 18 points in 61 career games. All but three of those games have been spent with the Ottawa Senators, but he was dealt to the Kings in March of 2021 in exchange for Michael Amadio.
While he is a left-shot defenseman, he could very well be claimed by the Buffalo Sabres as they deal with an injury to Henri Jokiharju. The Devils could also be a candidate to claim him as both Ty Smith and Damon Severson remain out with injury.
Wolanin makes the league minimum $750,000 on a two-way, one-year deal.
A solid two-way player, Wolanin is fully capable of serving full-time on an NHL roster if need be, more suitably as a seventh defenseman. He was a fourth-round draft pick of the Senators in 2015.
Frankly Maata has been nearly unplayable so far. Not saying Wollanin is any better as he never played enough to evaluate.
One can only assume that Maata outplayed Wollanin in practices or that Blake is covering his own butt for bringing Maata to LA with his way over valued contract.
precisely.. unless a piano falls on on of our top 6’s heads, there’s no reason for Olli to touch the ice in a King’s uni ever again… Austin Strand FTW!
Maata played better in the last 1/3 of the season paired with Walker and SW played some of his best hockey. He will be fine in the 3rd pairing should there be an injury
Strand > Maata in my book. Olli hasn’t played good enuff at any point (for me) to keep him on the gameday roster.