Three NHL veterans on waivers today, including Johansen

This just in, there's a trio of NHL defensemen up for grabs on waivers today.

The Buffalo Sabres have waived Jaccob Bryson, the Pittsburgh Penguins have waived Ryan Shea and the Washington Capitals have waived Lucas Johansen.

Check it out:

There's lots of talk online that Bryson is the most likely to be picked up by another team. The 26 year old native of London, Ontario has zero points in three games so far this season. The much bigger news to me though is Johansen's placement on waivers. The 26 year old Vancouver, BC native has just one point in six games for the Capitals this season, but his waiving could point to a signing with the Capitals. In particular, the Caps have been linked to free agent defenseman Ethan Bear in the past week. In fact, TSN insider Darren Dreger all but confirmed this past weekend that Bear has agreed to terms with the Capitals and that an official signing would be announced once the team had its roster in order. Johansen's waiving seems to point to an announcement to come. As for Shea, he has gone pointless in 22 games with the Penguins this season.

Honestly, I don't seen any of these three blue liners earned a claim come noon tomorrow. Without throwing too much shade on these three gentlemen, they just simply aren't NHL calibre players. Bryson has been scratched for the past 20 games and with Jack Quinn expected to return from injury any day now, it makes sense that the Sabres would make room on their roster by waiving Bryson. Again, Johansen's waiving likely just points to Bear's arrival in D.C. As for Shea... again no disrespect, but the guy has zero points in 22 games. You typically don't see people clamoring for 26 year old pointless defensemen. In his case, the Penguins are expected to activate forwards Noel Acciari and/or Richard Rakell from injured reserve tonight against the Minnesota Wild at PPG Paints Arena.

And if Bear is indeed the Capitals' new addition, he should fit in well. The 26 year old blueliner has bounced around the NHL the past few seasons, but put up a solid campaign with the Vancouver Canucks last season.