The Edmonton Oilers have placed defenseman Atro Leppanen on waivers this afternoon, which makes him available to the other 31 NHL clubs.
The timing is notable. Edmonton hosts the Vancouver Canucks tonight, and the Oilers have lost two straight, including a 4-5 loss to the Ducks on Thursday.
Leppanen is 27, a Finn, and he has never played an NHL game. He also hasn't played for the Bakersfield Condors this season, so this is a decision about a player who has been sitting outside the daily picture.
Waivers matter here because Edmonton can no longer shuttle him freely between the NHL and the AHL. Any team that wants him can simply take him.
That's what makes this move interesting. Leppanen arrived as an undrafted free agent after a monster season with Vaasan Sport, where he set the Liiga record for points by a defenseman with 63 in 60 games.
He followed that with 11 goals and 38 points in 53 games for the Condors last season. Edmonton then gave him a one-year, two-way deal through 2026-27.
Who could claim Leppanen off waivers
The answer comes quickly. Waivers typically resolve by noon ET the following day, so by Sunday afternoon we'll know whether he's headed elsewhere.
His deal carries an $850,000 cap hit, which is well under $1 million. For a team hunting a left-shot, puck-moving defenseman for the third pair, that's an easy price to pay on a player with no NHL miles on him.
Here's the opinion: a Liiga record holder with zero NHL games and a bargain contract gets claimed, or at least draws a real look. If the Oilers wanted to keep him, they've taken a gamble for a depth piece they could lose for nothing.
If he clears, he goes back to Bakersfield and stays a call-up option. Edmonton is 11-3-3 and has already had to recall depth players because of injuries this season, so a spare blueliner isn't a luxury.
Whether Leppanen ever plays an NHL game in 2026-27 may now depend on another team's front office, and that call arrives by Sunday at noon ET.
Quick hits
NEW YORK RANGERS: Joonas Korpisalo gets the nod in goal tonight in Seattle, according to Vince Z. Not a surprise, but the crease is always worth watching on the road.
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NASHVILLE PREDATORS: The Predators beat the Blues 3-1 tonight in the NHL Network showcase. The game turned in the second period when Nashville stopped chasing and started smothering.
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FLORIDA PANTHERS: Paul Maurice just gave the first update on Sandis Vilmanis' injury, and there's no diagnosis to share yet. That leaves everyone waiting.
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OTTAWA SENATORS: Linus Ullmark's return from injury has been delayed again, according to a fresh report. Ottawa will have to wait longer to get its goalie back.
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MINNESOTA WILD: Marcus Foligno and Nick Foligno have been activated, and both are expected to play tonight against the Lightning. The Wild lineup gets a real jolt.
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Did the Oilers make a mistake by risking Atro Leppanen on waivers?
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