Colin White on Waivers

This afternoon, the NJ Devils placed two pretty good hockey players on waivers. RW Trent Hunter and D Colin White were placed on waivers for the purposes of buying them out.

I’m uncertain about the wisdom of either move but want to discuss Colin White’s situation.

White is 33 years old, 6.05, 215 and a veteran of 743 NHL games. He’s a year from free agency and comes at a cost of 3M large.

White’s defensive stats aren’t bad at all considering his age:

• Qual Comp: top pairing
• Qual Team: top pairing
• CorsiRel: 6th of 8 NJD D
• Plus minus: -2 (expected -6)
• Zone Start: toughest on team
• Zone Finish: +1.5 (2nd best on team)

Colin White is an expensive option for the Oilers and you could argue that he might back up the kids. However, for 16 minutes a night at evens and another 2 on the PK (his numbers a year ago) the Oilers would have a veteran presence.

I think Steve Tambellini should call Daryl Katz and have the conversation.