Golden Knights Place Daniil Chayka On Unconditional Waivers
Dec. 3: Chayka went unclaimed and is now an unrestricted free agent, Friedman said.
Dec. 2: It appears that the Golden Knights will be parting ways with one of their prospects. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports (Twitter link) that defenseman Daniil Chayka has been placed on unconditional waivers for the purpose of contract termination.
The 22-year-old was a second-round pick by Vegas back in 2021, going 38th overall. He signed his entry-level deal just three months later though he spent his post-draft season with OHL Guelph where he had an impressive 39 points in 53 games.
However, point production has not come as easily for Chayka at the professional level. After putting up eight points in 57 games with AHL Henderson in 2022-23, he followed that up with just seven in 64 appearances in his sophomore year. This season, Chayka has split time between the Silver Knights (five games) and ECHL Tahoe (four games), recording an assist with each franchise.
Assuming he isn’t claimed, Chayka will be walking away from more than half of his entry-level deal as he’s signed through next season. If he’s unclaimed and released, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent and could try to catch on with another NHL franchise or look to return to Russia; he played in CSKA Moscow’s system in 2020-21 when the OHL didn’t play that season.
Daniil Chayka Assigned To AHL
At this time of year, minor league rosters are constantly in flux. Top players may end up recalled to their parent teams for the playoffs, while top prospects are arriving for their first taste of professional action. The latter is exactly what has happened for the Henderson Silver Knights, as Daniil Chayka has been reassigned to the AHL after his junior season came to an end.
Chayka, 19, was selected 38th overall by the Vegas Golden Knights in 2021, after pair of trades landed them in that position. The Russian defenseman had already played two seasons in the OHL by the time he was selected and had also had a short showing at the KHL level. This year, he returned to the Guelph Storm and dominated, recording 39 points in 53 games while continuing to improve on his already excellent defensive skills.
Interestingly enough, the beginning of the second round was actually considered quite low for Chayka compared to where many projected him before the 2020-21 season. Because the OHL didn’t play and he was forced back to Russia, he ended up dropping from the middle-first ranking he once held. All of that is to the benefit of the Golden Knights, who nabbed him even after trading down and will now get to see him (potentially) at the professional level in the Calder Cup playoffs.
Chayka will join Henderson in Colorado, where they will play tonight and tomorrow against the Eagles and try to keep their hopes alive. Already down 1-0 in the three-game series, the Silver Knights need a win this evening.