Six NHL players placed on waivers for Dec. 28
It’s a busy day for the NHL’s waiver wire.
A total of five players have been placed on regular waivers on Sunday, now that the NHL’s roster freeze is complete. Edmonton’s Noah Philp, Pittsburgh’s Danton Heinen, Toronto’s Marshall Rifai, Utah’s Juuso Valimaki and the New York Islanders‘ Ethan Bear will be available for teams until 2:00 PM ET on Monday, Dec. 29.
Waivers today: #LetsGoOilers Philp #LetsGoPens Heinen #LeafsForever Rifai #TusksUp Valimaki #Isles Bear For purposes of termination: #LetsGoOilers Tomasek puckpedia.com/waiver-wire
The Oilers also placed David Tomasek on unconditional waivers to terminate his contract, as previously reported.
Philp, 27, is a big 6-foot-3 forward who has primarily played in a depth role throughout his career. He has two goals and three points in 15 games this season, his first full NHL campaign to date. He split the 2024-25 season between the Oilers and their AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, where he had two assists in the NHL and 35 points in the AHL. He’s set to be a free agent this summer.
Heinen is currently making $2.25 million on his contract. He has bounced around the NHL and AHL this year, with two points in 13 games with Pittsburgh and 17 points in 12 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The 30-year-old had a career-best 36 points with the Boston Bruins in 2023-24 and 243 points in 579 career games.
Rifai, 27, has only played one AHL game this season due to injury, coming Saturday evening against the Utica Comets. Rifai has two games of NHL experience with the Maple Leafs, and has primarily played in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies. The defenseman has 48 points in 190 games over four AHL seasons.
Valimaki, 27, has missed the entire season so far due to a knee injury. Once a key part of the Arizona Coyotes, injuries have limited his game action over the past two years. He had five points in 43 NHL games last year, and also served as an extra with Finland’s 4 Nations Face-Off team. Valimaki is set to be a free agent this season.
Bear has also missed the entire season due to injury. The 28-year-old has bounced around a few teams over the past few years, but did put up an impressive 46 points in 62 games with the AHL’s Hershey Bears this season. In 275 career NHL games, Bear has 17 goals and 67 points.
Outside of Tomasek, who is expected to sign in Sweden, the rest of the players put on waivers are eligible to be sent down to the AHL on Monday if left unclaimed.
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