Nearly a dozen players on waivers, including a former 1st round pick

In case you missed the news earlier today, 11 NHL players were placed on waivers today.

Here's the full list:

Gemel Smith
Alex Barre-Boulet

Olli Juolevi
Justin Kirkland
Chase De Leo

Trey Fix-Wolansky
Gavin Baytreuther

Thomas Tynan

Kevin Stenlund

Joe Hicketts
Joseph Cramarossa

The biggest names on this list are probably Barre-Boulet, Juolevi and Hicketts. Barre-Boulet, you may recall, was placed on waivers twice last season and was claimed both times. He was first placed on waivers by the Tampa Bay Lightning and then claimed by the expansion Seattle Kraken, only to be claimed once again by the Lightning when he was placed on waivers just days later. I find it absolutely hilarious that Barre-Boulet was forced to swap locales three times in such a short period of time, but it's even more hilarious when you realize that Seattle and Tampa are about as far away as you can get when it comes to NHL locales. This kid literally crossed the continent three times in a week's span.

Juolevi is an intriguing name on this list, as well. The former 5th overall has bounced around the NHL the past two seasons. If he gets claimed he'll be on his fifth NHL team in just two years. Wow...

The 24 year old defenseman has two goals and three points in 41 career NHL games split between the Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers and Detroit Red Wings. He's a member of the Anaheim Ducks roster now, but it appears that he's destined for their AHL affiliate San Diego Gulls unless he gets claimed on the waiver wire. The Canucks infamously selected Juolevi as the first defenseman drafted in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, chosen ahead of the likes of Mikhail Sergachev and Charlie McAvoy. He was also selected ahead of superstar forward Matthew Tkachuk. The Canucks were patient with Juolevi, perhaps too patient in hindsight, but ultimately sent him to the Panthers in exchange for forward Juho Lammiko, who is now in the Swiss National League (NL). The Panthers ultimately sent him to the Red Wings and now he has surfaced with the Ducks. Suffice it to say that this guy's career has been up and down like a yo-yo.