Pittsburgh Penguins place Kasperi Kapanen on waivers

Kapanen was supposed to be at practice today, but was held out as he will be placed on waivers. The move should give the Pens roster flexibility and cap space going into the trade deadline, and with Kapanen in trade rumours, it’s possible that waiving him could give the Pens a bit more value on the market as he won’t need waivers when the team acquires him.

“Hexy informed me before practice that he was held out because he’s going to go on waivers here this afternoon,” said Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan. “When a team doesn’t live up to expectations, change is inevitable – that’s part of it. Kappy is a really talented player. To a certain extent, it’s on all of us because we didn’t find a way to maximize his potential.”

This comes after the Penguins were blown out 7-2 by the Edmonton Oilers, and are in a tailspin as they’ve lost their last five games in a row. They’re currently a point back of a playoff spot with a 27-21-9 record.

Kapanen has struggled to stay in the lineup this season, having been a healthy scratch for the team on several occasions. His production hasn’t been too far off his usual level with seven goals, 13 assists, and 20 points in 43 games, but it’s been his play away from the puck that has caused some issues for him in Pittsburgh.

Kapanen is in the first year of a two-year deal with a $3.2 million cap hit, which he signed in the offseason when the Penguins were doubling down on their current group, also bringing back Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell, Jeff Carter, and Casey DeSmith.

Kapanen was originally a 22nd overall pick for the Penguins in 2014, but was dealt to the Toronto Maple Leafs as part of the Phil Kessel trade in 2015 before he was then dealt back to the Penguins in 2020, this time as the focal point of the trade.

Nashville Predators defenseman Kevin Gravel was also placed on waivers today. He’s currently in the first year of a two-year deal with a $762,500 cap hit, and has one assist in 13 games with the Preds this season.

Seattle Kraken goalie Chris Driedger cleared waivers from yesterday. He has yet to play hockey this season after suffering a torn right ACL during the 2022 World Hockey Championship for Canada, and is in the second year of a three-year deal with a $3.5 million cap hit.