In a stretch where Detroit is lacking their only top-six center and have already waived another aging underperforming pivot, we’ve got another move by team GM Steve Yzerman to give Detroit flexibility:
On waivers: Simon (CAL), Filppula (DET), Geertsen (NYR)
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 3, 2021
Filppula will have until noon on Thursday to clear or be picked up by any team willing to take on his $3M cap hit and 8-team no trade list for the two goals and three assists he’s put up on the Red Wings through 20 games this season.
If (once) he clears, Filppula will have either 30 days on the roster or 10 games played with the Wings before he would have to clear again. During that time, he will be eligible for assignment either to Grand Rapids or the Red Wings’ taxi squad. If assigned, his cap hit would drop by $1.125M.
Filppula is the latest in a line of aging veterans who are finding their way onto the waiver wire in this odd season. While I don’t believe he will be claimed OR traded, there is an argument that clearing waivers actually increases his trade value because the acquiring team would immediately be able to bury him if the injured person he’s replacing returns or if it turns out it’s not just playing for Detroit that’s suppressing his impact.