Long List of NHL Talent Hits Waivers on Friday

The 2021-2022 NHL regular season is around the corner and teams are starting to make some serious cuts to their training camp rosters. This means some hard decisions and having to waive talented players, much like we saw with Friday's list.

Waivers: 10/1/21 pic.twitter.com/41d9pjDjUe

— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) October 1, 2021

Of the names, Noah Juulsen of the Panthers is a touch of a surprise as the team isn't very deep on defense and the former first-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens was supposed to play a bigger role in the Sunshine State this season. 

Another name worth noting is defenseman Joe Hicketts, who was waived by the Minnesota Wild. The mobile defenseman is a former Detroit Red Wing and has put up some good numbers in the AHL. Some thought he would be given a longer look with the Wild, but again this could just be a today thing and we could see Hicketts up with the Wild in a couple of weeks. 

Some are surprised Nick Merkley was waived by the San Jose Sharks. Last season the 24-year-old former first-rounder appeared in 27 games with the New Jersey Devils and put up 10 points. He was traded to the Sharks in July, but appears to have not made the team out of training camp. Look for the waiver list to grow with each day closer to opening night.

Photo credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports