Two 23 year olds including Bastian, up for grabs on waivers

This just in, the Seattle Kraken have placed forward Nathan Bastian on waivers, while the Nashville Predators have placed minor league forward Patrick Harper on waivers for purposes of contract termination.

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The 23 year old Bastian has played just 12 games for the Kraken this season, putting up a goal and two points to go along with his 31 penalty minutes. He put up three goals and 10 points in 41 games with the New Jersey Devils last season, his rookie campaign. Honestly, I could see a team taking a chance on him if they want some depth, 4th line grit. At six foot, four inches and 205 pounds, Bastian is a big boy who isn't afraid to throw his weight around. Unfortunately for him, his career highlight with the Kraken will likely be getting the absolute wheels beaten off him by Philadelphia Flyers forward Nate Thompson.

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Bastian eats punches in this scrap, but credit to him for hanging and banging. He's a tough kid no doubt, even if Thompson got the better of him in this tilt.

As for Harper, he's a 23 year old waterbug of a forward who stands at just five foot, seven inches and weighs in at a whopping 150 pounds. He has yet to play an NHL game since being drafted in the 5th round (138th overall) of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. He's gone pointless in nine games with the Predators' AHL affiliate Milwaukee Admirals this season after a fairly underwhelming 2020-21 campaign with the AHL's Chicago Wolves last season. He put up just two assists in 15 games with the Wolves last season. 

If/when Harper clears waivers he'll have his contract terminated and he'll be free to pursue more options overseas in Europe and/or Russia.

As for Bastian, I'm going to be really surprised if he passes through waivers without being claimed. Again, he's not going to move the needle in terms of point production, but if you need someone to come into your bottom six to shake things up and add some physicality, he's worth taking a flyer on.