The Winnipeg Jets made an interesting roster move on Monday as they waived summer free agent signing Riley Nash.
The thirty-two-year-old forward was brought to the Jets as a depth signing this offseason. He signed a one-year deal with an average annual value of $750,000, but unfortunately, Nash only appeared in 15 out of 24 games with Winnipeg and had not registered a point this season.
Leading up to being put on waivers, Nash was often being scratched out of the lineup and the last game he appeared in was on November 24 in his return to Columbus in the Jets loss to the Blue Jackets.
The Winnipeg Jets moved Riley Nash to waivers and the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions claimed him
With Nash’s low “AAV” and one-year contract, many people did not think the eleven-year NHL veteran would clear waivers and it was more of a question of which team would claim him.
The Tampa Bay Lightning, who have won the last two Stanley Cups and currently sit in third place in the Atlantic Division, decided to claim Nash and add him to their roster.
We have claimed forward Riley Nash off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets.https://t.co/tUD4vNqJTe
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) December 7, 2021
The Lightning lost some of their key depth forwards from last season including Yanni Gourde and Blake Coleman, who left this offseason. While Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point are both out injured.
Nash can be a great fit to Tampa Bay’s bottom-six forwards and can be a defensive asset for the Bolts considering the immense amount of goal scoring depth they have.
The Jets have yet to make any subsequent moves since Nash’s departure two days ago and they will be on the road for back-to-back games on Thursday and Friday nights as they faceoff against the Seattle Kraken and Vancouver Cancuks.
Winnipeg Jets Fans: What are your reactions to the Winnipeg Jets waiving Riley Nash and the Lightning claiming him from the waiver wire? Leave your comments below!