Reason why no team claimed Daniel Sprong off waivers exposed

Ever since Daniel Sprong has left the Detroit Red Wings, things have gone downhill for the forward. Back in November, the Vancouver Canucks made the curious move of trading Sprong to the Seattle Kraken for nothing. Well, you know, the classic promise of future considerations. And on Wednesday, the Kraken placed him on waivers and he went unclaimed the next day.

With the Cancuks, Sprong had struggles, appearing in 9 games and scoring 1 goal while adding 2 assists for a total of 3 points, and then in Seattle, he’s posted a goal and an assist in 10 contests.

When the Kraken made the waiver move, the intent was to assign him to AHL Coachella Valley, but they need the once 20-goal scorer could get claimed by a rival club.

It did not happen and some pundits believe the reason behind it. It could be because of allegations made by former INDYCAR driver Zach Claman DeMelo, who claimed back in August 2023 that he was assaulted by Sprong at a nightclub during the Detroit Grand Prix weekend. DeMelo posted the allegation on his Instagram story, saying that Sprong “grabbed my neck and pinned me on a wall.” After the two were separated, DeMelo said that Sprong came back and committed assault.

“After when I had believed the situation was over, Daniel came back and sucker punched me in the face while I was defenseless… the dental work needed was brutal and I’m still not finished,” DeMelo wrote on his Instagram story . “I also sustained a concussion that I’ve been dealing with over the past few weeks.”

He also posted pictures of the injuries he said he sustained during Sprong’s alleged attack:

DeMelo had then commented that he couldn’t say anything more due to “legal reasons” but ended up calling out Sprong for his actions and character.

“I just wanted to bring attention to this situation as no one has the right to act this way, especially an athlete of Daniel’s caliber,” DeMelo added. “We must hold [ourselves] to the highest of standards and for him to do this is beyond disappointing.”

The previous season, Sprong had posted a career-high 21 goals and 25 assists for 46 points in 66 games. He went on to play the last year of his two-year deal in Detroit, before signing with the Canucks the following summer.

This whole situation and the allegations against Sprong could explain why a talented player like him went through waivers unclaimed. Some teams do not want to get involved, especially with unresolved legal issues and could have therefore decided to stay away from Sprong.