The Colorado Avalanche placed the names of two former first-round picks on waivers on Saturday.
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Shane Bowers (28e in total) and Martin Kaut (16e in total), respectively selected in 2017 and 2018, will thus be available for the 31 other teams of the National League.
Bowers was originally drafted by the Ottawa Senators but was involved in the three-team trade that sent Matt Duchene to the nation’s capital and Kyle Turris to the Nashville Predators. He is also the only first-round player in his class not to have played a single career game in the National League, even struggling to shine in the American League.
Kaut, on the other hand, could be a more interesting option for a team looking for attacking elements. Since his arrival in North America, the Czech has shown great things in the American League, he who among other things amassed 16 points in 20 games in 2020-2021, then 31 points in 46 duels last season. However, he only has 20 games of experience in the Bettman circuit, he who blacked out the score sheet three times.
Among the other players who have seen their names placed on waivers, Montreal Canadiens fans will no doubt recognize that of Kale Clague, who was placed there by the Buffalo Sabres. Claimed by the CH on waivers last season, the back played 25 games in the blue, white and red uniform.
Defenseman Juuso Valimaki could also generate some interest, after being waived by the Calgary Flames. At just 24 years old, the left-back has 82 games of experience and 16 points in the National League.