Interesting developments on waivers on Wednesday!

On Tuesday, three players hit the wire as the Toronto Maple Leafs placed defenseman Dakota Mermis on waivers, as did the Columbus Blue Jackets with forwards Zach Aston-Reese and Brendan Gaunce.

On Wednesday, it was confirmed by insider Elliotte Friedman that all players had cleared waivers and could be sent down to their respective American Hockey League affiliates.

Fans were surprised to see that Gaunce, a first round pick in 2012, didn’t get a closer look from teams looking for some energy and depth up front.

Gaunce has played a handful of games with the Cleveland Monsters, the Blue Jackets’ top farm team, scoring four goals and adding six points in 12 contests. With Columbus, the 31-year-old has appeared in 25 games, scoring two goals and four assists for six points.

He is however a journeyman in the league and is currently in the final season of his two-year contract that he signed with the Wild in July 2024. The deal has an AAV of $775,000. In 214 NHL appearances, he has totaled 15 goals and 20 assists for 35 points.

More movement however took place on Wednesday with the Carolina Hurricanes placing forward Noah Philp on the wire. The Canes claimed him from waivers last month when he was sent on there by the Edmonton Oilers on Dec. 28.

The pending unrestricted free agent, carrying a cap hit of $775,000 this season, has unfortunately been sidelines. He played in just two games before suffering a concussion on Jan. 6. Phil had recently been practicing with the Hurricanes, and could be ready to return shorty, though you have to wonder if the Oilers will want to grab him back off waivers.