Pair of former Leafs land on waivers as teams cut down training camp rosters.
As the regular season nears, teams are whittling their training camp rosters down in order to get down to their regular season max of 23 players. For younger prospects, this means heading back to their minor league or junior teams. For older, more experienced players being cut, however, this means they'll have to pass through waivers before heading down. Several NHL teams made their first round of cuts today, so the waiver wire was truly active for the first time this season.
Among those on waivers were 2 former Leafs. Long time fans may remember Richard Panik from his terribly lacklustre 2014-2015 season in Toronto, or from his shocking 22 goal campaign just 2 seasons later with the Blackhawks. Panik was placed on waivers by the New York Islanders today, not shocking considering the fact that he only suited up for 4 games with the Isles last season.
Also on waivers today is Michael Carcone. You'll remember Carcone as the player the Leafs got in return for Josh Leivo. Dubas had promised Leivo that if he wasn't getting playing time in Toronto he would find him a new home, Carcone never played a game for the Leafs, but did spend half of the 2018-19 season with the Marlies before being traded to the Senators as part of the Nikita Zaitsev trade. Carcone was cut by his current team, the Arizona Coyotes today.
Neither player looks to have much chance at playing in the NHL this season. Panik's best days are long behind him, he will most likely finish out his current contract in the minors and head to Europe. Carcone just never managed to make it work in the NHL. Being the first cut from the 2022-23 Coyotes does not bode well for his future in the NHL.
