Former first round pick placed on waivers today and the Leafs very well may take a chance on him

Chris Johnston tweeted out the latest waiver wire victims earlier today which included: Robert Hagg (ANA), Colton White (ANA), Jayson Megna (BOS), Brett Murray (BUF), Jujhar Khaira (MIN), Vinni Lettieri (MIN), Dakota Mermis (MIN), Nic Petan (MIN), Cal Foote (NJ), Mark Jankowski (NSH), Leon Gawanke (SJ) and Jeffrey Truchon-Viel (WPG).

The biggest surprise might be Cal Foote being placed on waivers by the New Jersey Devils. The former 14th overall selection from the 2017 NHL Entry Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning has found it a little difficult to traverse the NHL landscape as he has played only sporadically over the last 3 seasons.

The 6'5, 225lb defenseman has collected 5 goals and 19 points in 141 games with the Lightning and the Nashville Predators. He was traded to the Predators ahead of the trade deadline last season as a part of the Tanner Jeannot deal, alongside a slew of draft picks.

In his final 24 games of the 2022-23 season, Foote averaged 16:07 TOI, scored 4 points, and blocked 32 shots for the Predators. He walked as a free agent in the summer and signed with the Devils to join his brother, Nolan, on a one-year, two-way contract in early August.

It's a bit surprising that he went unsigned for so long in the summer and even more surprising that he was just placed on waivers, not two months after signing his deal with the Devils. He's a big, right-handed defenseman, who has offensive intangibles but is also a very dependable anchor who can skate upwards of 16-18 minutes a night - if given the chance.

At this juncture of the season, players generally go unclaimed, but Foote is someone that should attract a few suitors and the Toronto Maple Leafs should be interested if they have the opportunity to place a claim on the soon-to-be 25-year-old with Conor Timmins out long-term and John Klingberg having not skated in a week.