Former first-round pick gets humbling update as waiver results come in

The New Jersey Devils placed veteran defenseman Stefan Noesen on waivers on Tuesday, a move that signaled the organization was ready to move on from the 33-year-old blue-liner. But the bigger surprise came when the waiver period expired on Friday with no NHL team claiming him.

Noesen going unclaimed is notable for a player once a first-round pick by the Ottawa Senators in 2011. Over 484 career games, he has accumulated 83 goals and 175 points, including a career-best 22 goals and 41 points during the 2024-25 season after initially joining the Devils.

The circumstances surrounding his placement on waivers were not entirely surprising. Noesen had yet to register a point through two games this season and was carrying a $2.75 million cap hit as he approaches unrestricted free agency this summer.

Still, the fact that 31 other teams passed on the chance to add a player with his resume is telling. His production took a significant dip last season, when he was limited to just 38 games and managed only three assists and seven points.

That decline, combined with his age and expiring contract, apparently made rival front offices hesitant to take on his salary. Even contending teams looking for defensive depth opted to look elsewhere.

Noesen was not the only player to go through the waiver wire this week. San Jose Sharks forward Brett Leason and Detroit Red Wings forward Chase Stillman were also placed on waivers on Thursday and have since gone unclaimed.

On Friday, the Pittsburgh Penguins added defenseman Ilya Solovyov to the waiver wire.

For the Devils, the roster decision comes during a rocky 1-2-0 start to the season. New Jersey will look to right the ship when they host the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday.

Noesen's future with the organization remains uncertain. Clearing waivers means the Devils can assign him to the AHL or keep him on the roster in a reduced role, but either path represents a steep fall for a player who was putting up career numbers just two seasons ago.