Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman is reporting that the Anaheim Ducks have placed forward Chase De Leo on waivers this afternoon, for the purpose of sending him to their AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls. Not playing a game this season, De Leo has been on the Season-Opening Injured Reserve from a play resulting in a suspension to Los Angeles Kings’ forward, Arthur Kaliyev, in the preseason.
De Leo is on the second year of a two-year, $1.525MM contract signed with the Ducks organization back in 2022, spending much of his time with the Gulls. Last season, although only playing 22 games in the AHL, De Leo scored nine goals and 14 assists, finishing over a point-per-game pace.
This being his second stint with the Ducks organization, De Leo spent 2018-2021 in the organization after coming over from the Winnipeg Jets in an offseason trade. In his original stint in Anaheim, De Leo played three games in three years in the NHL, producing zero points.
However, much like he was last year, he was an impressive player in San Diego, scoring 45 goals and 70 assists in 154 games, becoming one of the better playmakers for the team. Now that De Leo is presumed healthy, he will have his work cut out for him at the AHL level, as the Gulls currently hold a 2-9-3-0 record, sitting dead last in the Pacific Division.
Hoping he finds his groove. Ducks need all the scouting help they can get.