Two NHL players placed on waivers for Nov. 8
A couple of netminders have hit the wire.
On Sunday, the Chicago Blackhawks placed goaltender Arvid Soderblom on waivers, with the Washington Capitals doing the same with fellow backstop Remi Poirier.
Soderblom entered the 2026-27 season set to be the backup to Spencer Knight once again. However, while the Blackhawks have struggled as a whole, Soderblom’s play has been anything but up to par. In five appearances so far, four starts, the 27-year-old has allowed 21 goals, giving him a 4.67 goals-against average and a .842 save percentage, along with a 0-3-1 record.
Who the Hawks would call up to take his place is yet to be determined. Drew Commesso has been with the organization the longest, having played a couple of games with Chicago on top of his time with the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs, but Stanislav Berezhnoy has had better numbers early on this year with Rockford.
In 117 NHL games, Soderblom has a record of 25-68-15, with a 3.65 GAA, a .885 SV% and one shutout. He’s in the final season of his two-year contract extension, which he signed in July 2025. The deal carries an AAV of $2.75 million.
Poirier was acquired by the Capitals last Sunday in exchange for a seventh-round pick from the New Jersey Devils, as the Devils had to make some roster moves after receiving Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets. Poirier, who was claimed off waivers by the Devils from the Dallas Stars, has yet to play a game this season. He has spent the past three seasons with the Stars’ top farm team, the Texas Stars.
In 137 regular-season games in the AHL, the 25-year-old is 70-51-16, with a 2.76 GAA, a .908 SV% and six shutouts. He’s also 11-9 in 23 Calder Cup Playoff contests, with a 2.42 GAA, a .909 SV% and three shutouts.
Two players were put on waivers on Saturday: Edmonton Oilers defenseman Atro Leppanen and New York Rangers goaltender James Reimer were both put on waivers, with Reimer being placed on unconditional waivers. Leppanen cleared and can now be assigned to the Oilers’ primary affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, while Reimer’s contract has been terminated.
