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Detroit places Evgeny Svechnikov on waivers (again)

If we thought the Shayne Gostisbehere waivers intrigue would be the most-interesting wire move of the week, then we were wrong. At least for Detroit fans.  You know what? I’m not here to tell you what’s most-interesting to you. Maybe this one doesn’t tickle your fancy as much as that one did. You do you.

The former first rounder has five points in ten games this season and has looked perfectly in-place on an NHL roster so far. He’s also been looked at pretty rarely. In Thursday’s OT loss to the Panthers, the youngster played just 7:58.  His usage has been a constant topic of discussion as he approaches RFA status this offseason.

Personally, I think his skating has fallen behind a bit and that might haunt him. He’s got good hands, vision and shot, but Teemu Pulkkinen wasn’t far behind in those considerations and he’s no longer in the league.  Evgeny is better than that, but with the weight of his draft position, I worry he’s not going to live up to that.

We’ll find out at noon tomorrow whether he clears or is claimed. Svechnikov previously cleared waivers in January at a time when a lot of other teams were worrying about their own rosters and claims are quite rare. So far we haven’t seen a glut of in-season claims (Hi Christian Djoos!), but this  is a time when a player is less likely to be able to “sneak” through.  If a team wants him, they’re going to get him cheap.

If Svechnikov clears (again) he will be eligible for assignment to the taxi squad or to Grand Rapids. This doesn’t mean he has to be assigned. Clearing waivers starts a 30-day or 10-game clock that allows assignment without needing waivers again. These work cumulatively, so actually assigning him does not reset this clock.

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