BREAKING: $4.5 Million Starting Goaltender Hits Waivers

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James Connelly
October 7, 2023 (2:56 PM)

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An expensive starting goaltender has hit waivers shocking fans.

Driedger Placed On Waivers

The Seattle Kraken have shocked everybody by placing goaltender Chris Driedger on waivers.

Placed on NHL waivers today: Jesper Bosqvist (BOS), Oskar Steen (BOS), Jakub Zboril (BOS), Brandon Biro (BUF), Kale Clague (BUF), Riley Stillman (BUF), Trey Fix-Wolansky (CBJ), Jack Ahcan (COL), Brad Hunt (COL), Cam Dineen (EDM), Philip Kemp (EDM), Brad Malone (EDM) ... Calvin Pickard (EDM), Tyler Madden (LA), Shane Bowers (NJ), Justin Dowling (NJ), Tyce Thompson (NJ), Max Willman (NJ), Denis Gurianov (NSH), Jachym Kondelik (NSH), Chris Driedger (SEA), Cale Fleury (SEA) and John Hayden (SEA).

Driedger was just one of three Kraken players who hit waivers today but he is certainly the most pricey and the biggest name.

He originally got to the Kraken after being selected by them in the expansion draft. After being selected by the Kraken, Driedger signed a 3-year extension carrying an AAV of $3.5 million. He is currently in the final year of the backloaded contract so he makes $4.5 million this year.

Driedger has struggled with health lately and played in only 14 games last year which were all in the AHL. Hopefully, this is just a conditioning stint for Driedger but it is risky to place a player of his caliber on waivers.