Kasperi Kapanen shoved on waivers as Penguins struggle with cap space ahead of deadline

Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan came out with it: forward Kasperi Kapanen will be placed on waivers on Friday.

When asked about Kapanen’s absence during practice, Sullivan explained that he was informed by general manager Ron Hextall that the forward was going on the wire at 2pmET.

“Hexy informed me before practice that he was held out because he’s going to go on waivers here this afternoon.”

Earlier today, we shared the report from Jay Zawaski that if “the Penguins were to offer a Zaitsev-type trade for Kasperi Kapanen, the Blackhawks would take him off their hands. The Penguins are seeking cap flexibility for this year and beyond.”

The 24-year-old forward is signed through next season at $3.2 million. Though he is a skilled forward who can score, he is not consistent. More importantly at the moment, the Penguins don’t have the space to activate defenseman Jan Rutta back into the lineup.

"When a team doesn't live up to expectations, change is inevitable - that's part of it," Sullivan said Friday of the decision. "Kappy is a really talented player. To a certain extent, it's on all of us because we didn't find a way to maximize his potential."

The Penguins have informed rival teams that Kapanen is available for trade, but seeing that he lands on waivers today, it means no suitor came forward.

OTHER WAIVER NEWS 

Also on waivers this Friday is Nashville Predators' defenseman Kevin Gravel. As for goalie Chris Driedger placed on the waiver wire on Thursday by the Seattle Kraken, he has cleared and will be sent to the AHL.

Recommended articles:

• Penguins beg Blackhawks for help in potential trade
• Penguins overpay big time on a new deal for Kasperi Kapanen
• Penguins forced to make difficult choice ahead of expansion
• Report: Another player issue forced Rutherford out of Penguins’ office
• Penguins provide troublesome update on Kapanen days ahead of season