Three NHLers placed on waivers, including former trade target Volkov

Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reports that three players have hit the NHL waiver wire today, with Anaheim Ducks forward Alexander Volkov highlighting the trio. Also hitting the wire are Detroit Red Wings forward Kyle Criscuolo and New York Islanders goaltender Cory Schneider.

Check it out:

As Friedman points out Volkov is on unconditional waivers and should he clear this time tomorrow, then his contract will be terminated and he'll become an unrestricted free agent. Volkov, of course, can then negotiate with another NHL team but it's believed that the 24 year old Moscow native is looking to return home to Russia to play in the KHL. Interestingly enough, Volkov was seen as a top prospect up until about a year ago.

Edmonton Oilers fans may remember that the Tampa Bay Lightning, who drafted Volkov 48th overall in 2017, were pushing hard to acquire then disgruntled Oilers draft pick Jesse Puljujarvi in exchange for Volkov. Oilers GM Ken Holland stood pat though and let Puljujarvi play through his issues in Finland and it's a good thing that he did. The 23 year old Puljujarvi looks like a new man these days and has been an absolute revelation for the Oilers early this campaign. After a respectable 15 goal and 25 point season last year, the former 4th overall pick has a red hot two goals and eight points in five games to start the 2021-22 season. All of this is to say that Holland made a smart "non-move" by holding onto Puljujarvi as it appears Volkov's time in the NHL is over.

As for Criscuolo and Schneider, I'd be surprised if either one generated interest on the waiver wire. Schneider, unfortunately, is pretty much cooked as an NHL calibre goaltender. While he has all the skill and determination in the world, multiple hip surgeries have turned him into a shell of the player he used to be. He seems content to play out the string of his career playing under Lou Lamoriello's guidance within the Islanders' NHL and AHL operations. Criscuolo is a 29 year old journeyman AHLer with 9 NHL games on his resume from nearly half a decade ago.