Three players are on the move as the NHL roster freeze approaches: Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Egor Zamula, Calgary Flames forward Dryden Hunt, and Minnesota Wild center Ben Jones. These players were placed on waivers on Thursday, just one day before the league's roster freeze takes effect on Friday night. With the NHL season in full swing, this move could signal a shift in team strategy and player dynamics.
Egor Zamula, a 25-year-old defenseman, has been a regular fixture in the Flyers lineup for the past three seasons. As a restricted free agent with a $1.7 million cap hit, he has contributed one assist in 13 games this season. However, Zamula's performance last season was more impressive, with three goals and 15 points in 63 games, and a career-high 21 points in 66 games the year before.
Dryden Hunt, a 30-year-old forward, is yet to record a point in two games with the Flames this season. His recent performance with the AHL's Calgary Wranglers was more promising, as he scored five goals and 18 points in 16 games. This contrast highlights the challenge of transitioning from the AHL to the NHL.
Ben Jones, a 26-year-old center, is also struggling to find his footing this season. He has played 19 games without a point for the Wild and has only two assists in two AHL games. Last season, Jones appeared in a career-high 26 games with the Wild, but failed to record a single point.
The waiver process allows teams to claim these players, potentially reshaping their rosters and providing opportunities for players to prove their worth. As the season progresses, the impact of these moves will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.
