Two Players Placed on NHL Waivers; Surprise Veteran Waived by Western Conference Contender

The NHL season has been full of twists and turns and shock moves, and on Thursday that seemingly continued, with the Edmonton Oilers making the surprise decision to waive veteran blue liner Travis Dermott.

The off-season pickup has played in just 10 games this season and has yet to tally a point, but given his versatility and his relatively cheap contract, he was a great signing for a team that needed bodies on the blue line.

However, the Oilers recently claimed 24-year old Alec Regula on waivers, and with the hope that he can become an NHLer, they may be hoping that Dermott passes through and heads to the AHL.

Speaking of the AHL, the other huge waiver move of the day was the Winnipeg Jets placing AHL forward Henri Nikkanen on waivers for the purpose of contract termination, with the 23-year old seemingly not taking the steps forward that the team hoped and believed he would.

In other waiver news, one of the three players placed on waivers on Wednesday was claimed, with the Utah Hockey Club picking up Dakota Mermis from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The 30-year old hasn't played a game for Toronto this season, and has played in just there AHL games with the Marlies, but given how Utah have struggled on the blue line this season with injury, it's a solid depth move.

With the trade deadline on the horizon and the season picture becoming clearer for many teams, waivers will continue to shock NHL fans seemingly on a daily basis, and after five players were waived in the last two days, it's expected to continue like that.