Photo credit: NHL.com
The Carolina Hurricanes have placed 31 year old veteran defenseman Joakim Ryan on waivers according to Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman.
This means he's set to be activated from season opening injured reserve after missing a few weeks with an undisclosed injury.
The 31 year old Joakim Ryan is making a comeback attempt in the NHL after spending the last three seasons with Sweden's Malmö Redhawks. Before returning to Sweden in 2021, he played 145 games for the Hurricanes, Kings, and Sharks, posting 24 points and a +1 rating. This offseason, he re-signed with Carolina on a two-way contract.
Known for being a reliable two-way defenseman, Joakim Ryan once averaged 19:09 of ice time per game during his 2019-20 season with the Kings. However, his offensive production has slowed in recent years, both in Sweden and during his last NHL stint. If he clears waivers, he'll likely play with the AHL's Chicago Wolves, where he previously had two assists in four games back in 2020-21.
Although Joakim Ryan is likely to play in the AHL for now, his NHL experience could make him an option for a mid-season call-up if Carolina's defense faces injuries. He'll be an unrestricted free agent (UFA) next summer, earning a salary of $110K while in the minors.
Stay tuned for more updates as we monitor the waiver wire throughout the NHL regular season.
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