Flames Claim Former Golden Knights Defenseman Off Waivers

The Calgary Flames are once again active as they take to waivers and pick up young defenseman Brayden Pachal who was placed there yesterday by the Vegas Golden Knights.

Calgary claims Brayden Pachal off waivers from Vegas.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 4, 2024

Pachal is more defensively focused and has only played in the NHL on Vegas this season, getting into 17 games. While just being a fill-in most of the time on the back-end for the sometimes banged up defense, he hasn't really played a whole lot when he does dress, averaging 14:37 ATOI this season. It makes perfect sense that the retooling Flames would jump at the opportunity to claim him off of waivers at this time.

The Flames have already traded Nikita Zadorov this season and Chris Tanev and Noah Hanifin are very likely soon to follow after it is clear the Flames are selling with the Elias Lindholm trade. By claiming a young defenseman that is NHL-ready like Pachal, the Flames don't have to worry about having defensive prospects or young defensemen included in any other deals.

Unless Pachal really doesn't impress with the Flames for the next while, he should be a pretty nice piece for them moving forward. He is in the first of a two-year, $775,000 AAV deal and it is always good to have young pieces in the mix, especially when they are brought in at no cost.