There may be a trade freeze in the NHL right now but waiver wire moves can still be made. The Blues have added some young depth off the wire, as Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports (Twitter link) that they’ve claimed center Jack Finley off waivers from the Lightning. Under the rules for roster movement during the break, he won’t be required to report to St. Louis until February 17th.
The 23-year-old was a second-round pick by Tampa Bay back in 2020, going 57th overall. At the time, Finley wasn’t lighting it up in junior hockey with WHL Spokane but with a six-foot-six frame and an ability to play down the middle, the Lightning hoped that he’d eventually fill out and become a potential bottom-six option for them. He had 57 points in his draft year and then in 2021-22 (2020-21 was largely wiped out), he managed just 50 so the offensive outburst never came.
However, Finley showed some promising signs offensively in the minors. In his first three full professional seasons, he reached the double-digit goal mark in all three, ranging between 12 goals in his rookie year to 14 tallies last season, when he wound up with 28 points in 40 contests with AHL Syracuse. Given that, Tampa Bay was hesitant to cut him in training camp, instead keeping him around at the back of their roster.
Unfortunately for Finley, playing time was difficult to come by. He played in just 11 games over the first two months of the season, resulting in a three-game conditioning stint with the Crunch, where he had three points. Finley did play a bit more regularly after being recalled, seeing action in 12 games over the last seven-plus weeks but that was still minimal playing time overall. On the season, he has two goals and one assist in 23 outings while playing just 8:25 per game. He’s also chipped in 37 hits and has won 48.5% of his faceoffs.
Finley, a St. Louis native, now joins a team that looks to be heading for at least some sort of rebuild or retooling process with the team well out of playoff contention. Accordingly, he should have an easier pathway to consistent playing time down the stretch if the Blues sell off more veterans as they did with the Nick Bjugstad trade earlier this week; Finley effectively fills his spot on the roster.
While waiver claims are often on short-term deals, that isn’t the case here. Finley is in the first season of a three-year deal that currently carries a cap hit of $775K. As the league minimum increases next season, the AAV of the deal will go up to reflect the higher salary being paid. The final two seasons of the agreement are a one-way salary so St. Louis is potentially absorbing around $2MM in cash costs over the next three years. But if Finley is able to fill a depth role during that stretch, it’ll be a worthwhile pickup for them.
Photo courtesy of Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images.
Local, former top prospect claimed for free on a rebuilding team with a profile that often blooms late.
Tied for most logical claim ever.
I didn’t think Jack Finley would be picked up because of his inconsistency in play and lack of game time but it is what it is.
He’ll need to sell his part of his home ownership to D’Astous and James as they all bought a house together.
He’s from St Louis, lol.
Swung for the fences, but whiffed. Every invested fan knows that the inconsistent guys are the players who end up on Waivers. Instead of just saying you were wrong, you tried to water down your whiff by citing his inconsistent play.
@Redfeather – I know he’s from St. Louis but that has nothing to do with what I’m talking about. He bought a house when he was here in Tampa with 2 other players. Your comprehension is apparently lacking.
@Pedro Schmuck- You’re an idiot in more ways than one. Your comment for starters doesn’t even equate to what I said in my OP. The only one whiffing here, is you with your gross ineptitude of apprehension.
Your comment about selling his house also has nothing to do with hockey or the article. In fact it is beyond irrelevant. Congratulations.
@Red – The house aspect has to do with Finley. It was a curiosity remark. So yes, it does relate to him which is what this article is about, him. Congratulations on proving you’re not only ignorant, you’re stupid too.
I see you’re one of those “I need to be right” type of girls. Didn’t mean to get you all riled up. It’s just a reply to a comment you don’t have to get so defensive.
Gross ineptitude of apprehension? Apprehension? Really? Methinks that either you were looking for a different word or you have no idea as to the definition of apprehension. But you gotta be you, so regardless of your lack of English skills, you still toss an excellent tantrum.
Dogsh!t – Yeah, I know what apprehension means but apparently you don’t. A little clue for you, it actually has 5 different meanings but I’m 100% certain you don’t have the intellect to know that. I guess that 5th grade education didn’t go that far. It’s funny, how you try so hard to act superior over people when you’re clearly an inferior little man who apparently needs attention. I’m sure you got mommy issues.
@RedFeather – actually, you’re the one that got defensive and your panties all up in a bunch but hey, you apparently like playing the victim.
Is that why you’re still crying through online comments? Mr “fun facts” over here. Hey I got you for you, anyone who has to point out that a word has multiple meanings certainly suggests they had to ChatGPT that word to make sure.. maybe that’s your “apprehension” kicking in.. lol
@Red – The only one crying is you here. But based on your asinine theory, you need ChatGPT to make sure the multi meaning of a word?…Really?…LOL! I’m sure you used GPT to come up with that dense theory. Your intellect is astoundingly low apparently but thanks for sharing your poor wisdom.
Ooof.. that went WAY over your head, didn’t it. Haha
Like all rookies they rent….they need a new roommate is all….
They weren’t renting home. They bought a home together from what was reported.
Canucks must of thought “roster freeze” meant this couldn’t happen; where is their biggest need? Sure, it’s “talent”, but also size down the middle, warm bodies down the middle, someone with a PULSE DOWN THE MIDDLE. We know they won’t win the draft lottery so they need to play every lottery…
That GM just loves shrimp and stringbeans. Too bad it’s the roster and not a dinner entree
I thought Canucks would claim him as they had the first shot with their bad record. Finley played juniors in their area in the WHL so they must have seen him a lot. Maybe they didn’t like him that much.
PS James started the season at Syracuse so it’s surprising he committed to buying a house. Maybe the Bolts told him he would stay up in the NHL all year.
Unlike Finley he doesn’t have to clear waivers to be sent down. ( I don’t think this is worth having a nasty fight over though).
For the second time, Finley nor any rookies buy homes. They especially would never buy a home with another player.
They moved in together. That is not buying a home. If they all bought a home together, they all should be placed on waivers.
You believe whatever you want lol
FYI, no NHL guy buys a home until after he gets term and real money and a full time job on a team. Trust me on this one. Maybe you can join the lease and drive James and Dastous crazy. Or see if Finley needs you to be his Real Estate Agent.
I am shocked that you continue to double and triple down on this…