Three former first-rounders among those placed on waivers as roster cuts continue around the league

Starting with Valimaki of the Calgary Flames, he has had a challenging start to his young NHL career. Being just 24 years of age, Valimaki has already suffered an ACL tear in the 2019-20 NHL season, which has restricted him from developing into the complete player the Flames had hoped for when selecting him 16th overall in the 2017 NHL draft. The Finland native totaled 16 points in 82 NHL games throughout his four-year tenure with the Flames. Valimaki has spent time in and out of the AHL, playing for the Stockton Heat, racking up 55 games and contributing 32 points over the course of two seasons with the team. If Valimaki clears waivers, he will likely return to the Stockton Heat for the 2022-23 season.

Bowers and Kaut of the Colorado Avalanche have also been put on the waiver list. Bower was originally drafted by the Ottawa Senators in 2017 but has spent the entirety of his professional career in the AHL playing for the Colorado Eagles. The Canadian forward has yet to be provided with the opportunity to showcase his talents on the highest professional level, as the defending Stanley Cup Champions Avalanche are already deep enough as it is. Bowers was searching for a bottom-six role among the forward core for the Avalanche this year, but it looks like he won't be given a chance to step foot on the ice of Ball arena in Denver, Colorado. If Bower clears waivers, he's destined to be assigned to the Eagles for another season.

Kaut faces the same problem as Bower. There are limited spots on an already deep Avalanche roster, especially among their forward group. The Czech Republic native was drafted 16th overall by the Avalanche in 2018 and has played 20 games over 3 NHL stints. Like Bowers, Kaut has spent most of his professional career playing for the Colorado Eagles. As a member of the Eagles, Kaut has played four seasons and 163 games, earning himself 91 points. Without the opportunity to prove himself in an entire season under the Avalanche organization, Kaut has struggled to stay in the NHL. If Kaut is not picked up on the waiver wire, he will likely be joining the Colorado Eagles for his fifth season.

Credit : hockeydb.com - Juuso Valimaki, hockeydb.com - Martin Kaut, hockeydb.com - Shane Bowers