Phoenix Copley is suddenly part of a roster squeeze for Rick Bowness and the Columbus Blue Jackets as camp decisions accelerate.
A large waiver batch hit the NHL wire Wednesday, giving teams another opportunity to reshape their depth before opening-night rosters are locked in.
The most interesting part of the list is in the crease, where several organizations have exposed experienced or recognizable options at the same time.
Now the names are out: Copley, Jaxson Stauber, Spencer Martin, Taylor Gauthier and Jonas Johansson have all been placed on waivers.
Columbus placed Copley into the process, while the Utah Mammoth exposed Stauber. The New York Rangers did the same with Martin.
"Goalies among a large number of players on NHL waivers today: Pheonix Copley (CBJ), Jaxson Stauber (UTA), Spencer Martin (NYR), Taylor Gauthier (PIT) and Jonas Johansson (TB)"
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Alongside goalies, there are 34 players placed on waivers today.
Maxence Guenette (BOS)
Pheonix Copley (CBJ)
James Malatesta (CBJ)
Owen Sillinger (CBJ)
Domenick Fensore (COL)
Christian Wolanin (COL)
Ronald Attard (DET)
Wilmer Skoog (DET)
Ozzy Wiesblatt (NSH)
Spencer Martin (NYR)
Zach Aston-Reese (PHI)
Cam Dineen (PHI)
Nolan Foote (PHI)
Carl Grundstrom (PHI)
Danila Klimovich (PHI)
Jack Studnicka (PHI)
Taylor Gauthier (PIT)
Ethan Cardwell (SJS)
Tye Felhaber (SJS)
Libor Hajek (SJS)
Jonas Johansson (TBL)
Cole McWard (TOR)
Dakota Mermis (TOR)
Cameron Hebig (UTA)
Montana Onyebuchi (UTA)
Jaxson Stauber (UTA)
Cole Clayton (VAN)
Trey Fix-Wolansky (VAN)
Jimmy Schuldt (VAN)
Jeremy Davies (VGK)
Jakub Demek (VGK)
Joe Fleming (VGK)
Adam Ginning (VGK)
Jaycob Megna (VGK)
Pittsburgh added Gauthier to the list, and Tampa Bay placed Johansson on waivers, creating a rare cluster of available goalies across the league.
Five goalies suddenly available across the NHL
Every NHL team now has 24 hours to decide whether one of those goaltenders fits its roster, organizational depth chart or immediate insurance needs.
That makes this more than a routine round of camp trimming. One claim can change a backup competition instantly and force another move further down the depth chart.
Copley is the biggest Columbus angle because Bowness and the Blue Jackets have made a clear roster decision by exposing him to the rest of the league.
Stauber gives teams another option from Utah, while Martin brings another recognizable name into a market where injuries or uneven preseason performances can quickly change priorities.
Johansson's availability also puts Tampa Bay's crease depth under the microscope. Jon Cooper's group is giving every rival club the opportunity to step in before he can clear.
For Pittsburgh and Dan Muse, exposing Gauthier creates the same risk. If another club submits a successful claim, the Penguins lose control of that piece of their organizational depth.
The clock is now running, and the next development comes when claims are processed. Until then, five goalies sit in limbo while front offices decide whether to make an early-season move.
Will at least one of these five goalies be claimed?
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