Prior to another round of cuts from the training camp roster, the Pittsburgh Penguins placed five players on waivers.
Among the five Penguins put on waivers were defensemen Ty Smith, Taylor Fedun, Xavier Ouellet and forwards Rem Pitlick and Jonathan Gruden.
When the list was revealed, it seemed likely a guy like Smith would be scooped up by another team.
Smith is a young, affordable defender who can bring a lot of offensive upside to a roster.
Of the players across the NHL placed on waivers, only goaltender Spencer Martin was claimed, all five Penguins names cleared and are being assigned to the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
For everyone but Pitlick, the AHL is where they spent a majority of the 2022-23 season.
Smith played nine games at the NHL level and recorded four points; Fedun appeared in four games and Gruden in three.
Pitick played 46 games at the NHL level in 2022-23 with the Montreal Canadiens, and was acquired by the Penguins in the Erik Karlsson trade.
While most of these names expected to start the upcoming season in the AHL, it’s Pitlick’s $1.1 million contract that will help the Penguins get below the salary cap ceiling.
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