What the five players claimed on waivers might bring to their new NHL team

Before the start of the 2021 NHL season the Florida Panthers plucked defenceman Gustav Forsling off the waiver wire when he was exposed by the Carolina Hurricanes. Since then, Forsling has turned into arguably the Panthers' most consistent all-round defender since arriving in south Florida. He averaged over 22 minutes per game in ice time last season, led all Panthers defencemen in scoring (39 points) and finished the regular season with an eye-popping plus-56 rating. His impact in the playoffs elevated to yet another level, where he averaged over 23 minutes of ice time, led the defence in scoring again and finished with a plus-9 rating.

The Panthers recognize the value Forsling brings to their group and the two sides agreed to an eight-year contract extension this past off-season that comes with a $5.75-million AAV.

It’s fair to say the Hurricanes, in hindsight, would like a mulligan on their decision to expose Forsling to waivers.

I’m not suggesting any of the waiver wire acquisitions from the past couple of days will end up having the same impact Forsling has provided the Panthers. But you never know. Sometimes a change of scenery ends up providing players the kick-start they need to take their game to another level.

With that in mind, here's a look at the five waiver claims made on the NHL's final cut down day before the regular season began, and what they might bring to their new team.

James Reimer, Goalie
Waived by Buffalo Sabres, claimed by Anaheim Ducks

The Sabres signed Reimer to a one-year ($1 million) contract this past off-season. The veteran goalie appeared in 25 games for the Detroit Red Wings last season, posting a 3.11 GAA and .904 save percentage. I’m sure Buffalo was hoping Reimer would slip through waivers and provide a security blanket if one of their young goaltenders (Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Devon Levi) were to go down with injury or struggled to stop pucks.

With Anaheim starting goalie John Gibson on the shelf to start the season, following appendectomy surgery, the Ducks claimed Reimer to back-up 24-year-old Lukas Dostal. Reimer can enter the fray on occasion, but at this stage of his career the 36-year-old is not a goalie who can run with the crease for an extended period of time. He comes cheap and he knows his role.

Zach Aston-Reese, Forward
Waived by Vegas Golden Knights, claimed by Columbus Blue Jackets

Aston-Reese spent most of last season in the AHL playing for Detroit’s affiliate in Grand Rapids, scoring 14 goals and 16 assists in 61 games. It feels like he has been around for a lifetime, but Aston-Reese is only 30 years old. He’s a depth forward at best. Before last season he suited up for the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he averaged just over 10 minutes of ice time, but he did score 10 goals for the Leafs. Perhaps the Blue Jackets are hoping he can contribute some depth offence and leadership in the dressing room.

Jiri Patera, Goalie
Waived by Boston Bruins, claimed by Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks must see something in Patera that the Bruins hoped to recognize. Vancouver originally lost Patera on waivers to the Bruins, but were able to re-acquire the 6-foot-2, 209-pound goaltender after Boston signed Jeremy Swayman.

Patera is only 25 years old and might have some runway ahead of him to prove he is a worthy NHL recall or backup goalie option for the Canucks. However, it’s more likely the Canucks see Patera as a “maybe” project who can stabilize their crease in the minors. Patera has consistently posted goals against averages below 3.00 and save percentages above .900 in his minor league career to date.

Cole Schwindt, Forward
Waived by Calgary Flames, claimed by Vegas Golden Knights

I have a bias when reporting on Schwindt because when I was the scouting director in Florida, we selected him in the third round (81^st overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft. The 6-foot-2, 183-pound forward was part of the trade that brought Jonathan Huberdeau, Mackenzie Weegar and a conditional first-round pick (2025) to Calgary in exchange for Matthew Tkachuk and a conditional fourth-round pick (2025).

In Florida, we targeted Schwindt as a potential depth scorer at the NHL level who could kill penalties, take face-offs in the defensive zone and play a responsible 200-foot game. He has proven he can provide secondary offence at the AHL level, and logged a ton of ice time in all situations there, averaging over 21 minutes per game of ice time down the stretch last year with the Calgary Wranglers. So far, though, he hasn’t found a permanent role in the NHL, but he’s worth the risk for Vegas. Schwindt is currently on a one-year contract that counts for $800,000 against the cap and he will be a restricted free agent next summer.

If Schwindt doesn’t stick in the NHL with Vegas, and the Golden Knights expose him to waivers again, the Flames would have first right to re-acquire his services before another NHL club.

Raphael Lavoie, Forward
Waived by Edmonton Oilers, claimed by Vegas Golden Knights

Lavoie has been a difficult player for me to scout since his days in the QMJHL with the Halifax Mooseheads and Chicoutimi Sagueneens. There’s no doubt the 6-foot-4, 216-pound winger knows how to score goals (he’s got 53 of them over the past two seasons in the AHL). But Lavoie has to play among the top-six forwards and slot into one of the power play units to be completely effective.

Despite his size, he isn’t physically punishing. Lavoie doesn’t push opponents off pucks or battle around the crease in the offensive zone. Instead, he values time and space and has the ability to rip pucks home from the flank. I’m not sure there is room for Lavoie in the Vegas lineup, but he is worth the risk for the Golden Knights in case of injury. If he is awarded more opportunity in Vegas he might take advantage.

Like Schwindt, if Vegas were to waive Lavoie in an attempt to send him to their AHL affiliate in Henderson, the Oilers would have first-right to re-acquire the player. On Tuesday, the Golden Knights did put Lavoie back on the waiver wire.