Former Maple Leafs forward hits waivers creating major doubt about his NHL future
Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Noah Gregor has been placed on waivers, according to insider Frank Seravalli.
Forward Noah Gregor was placed on waivers by the Florida Panthers along with Nolan Foote a day after the end of the regular season.
The reigning Stanley Cup winning Panthers were eliminated from postseason contention in the regular season, having been without captain Aleksander Barkov for the whole season, and assistant Matthew Tkachuk for more than half the year.
Gregor, 27, appeared in 37 games for the Panthers this season with four goals and nine points, signed by Florida to a one-year, two-way deal in October, clearing waivers back in January.
Gregor played in the 2023-24 season for the Toronto Maple Leafs, appearing in 63 games for Toronto with six goals and 12 points.
A veteran of seven NHL seasons, Gregor has appeared with four teams, the San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, and the Florida Panthers.
Why hitting the waiver wire completely validates the toronto boardroom evaluation
A bottom-six depth forward, Gregor was largely a fourth liner who could play both as a center and a wing as a Toronto Maple Leaf.
Having split this past season between the NHL and AHL, appearing in 25 games with 11 goals and 17 points, Gregor could very well gain another two-way contract in the offseason.
Gregor is a reliable stopgap option who can play a fourth line role on a team needing additional depth, but his NHL options may be limited after this season.
The Leafs chose not to re-sign Gregor after 2024, making the decision not to make him an integral lineup piece, a seemingly correct decision.
How the executives perfectly predicted his drop off and dodged a heavy contract
Having had 40 points across his two seasons with San Jose before his sole season in Toronto, the Leafs brass decided to move on from Gregor.
There was some talk about keeping Gregor around in the organization, but the Leafs ultimately walked on from the winger rather than re-sign him as potential fourth line help.
Gregor has been continuing to be a fourth liner for Ottawa and Florida, but his NHL chances may not remain for long, but he could carve out a role as an NHL call-up, or a fourth liner on a rebuilding team, unlikely to be with a contender like Toronto.
The 27-year-old will likely have the chance to be someone who rebuilding teams take one more NHL shot at, and could be a bargain option at cheap.
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