Seattle Kraken Place Forward On Waivers

The Seattle Kraken have made a surprising move by placing forward John Hayden on waivers, as reported by multiple sources.

Hayden, who recently underwent surgery for a lower-body issue, has shown impressive performance this season. With 17 goals and 33 points in 47 games for the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the Kraken's AHL affiliate, he has become a valuable player in their pursuit of the Calder Cup.

#SeaKraken F John Hayden suffered a lower body injury during a game on March 18. He underwent surgery and was given a 12 week timeline to return.

It's now 10 weeks and 2 days out from the injury. Waivers are necessary if Hayden is to play with the @Firebirds. Close to a return? https://t.co/jbS300xH2C

— Deep Sea Hockey (@DeepSeaHockey) May 29, 2023

The timing of this decision is unexpected, as the Kraken's postseason has already ended. Speculation suggests that Hayden could potentially join the Firebirds for their playoff campaign.

Standing at 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 223 pounds, Hayden brings size and physicality to his game. Despite only appearing in seven NHL games this season and scoring two goals, he has caught the attention of the Kraken organization with his strong AHL performance.

John Hayden gets a piece of Borgen's rip to open the scoring up for Seattle, first of the year for Hayden!#SeaKraken pic.twitter.com/n8TuiMuqeq

— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) January 28, 2023

Hayden, a 28-year-old center, was originally drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2013 and later traded for a former first-round pick in the 2014 draft.

As an impending unrestricted free agent, his future with the Kraken remains uncertain. Nonetheless, the decision to place him on waivers indicates the team's willingness to potentially assign him to the AHL and provide an opportunity for him to contribute in the Calder Cup playoffs. Photo Credit: James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports