The Chicago Blackhawks, off to a surprisingly strong start, made an intriguing move on Saturday. The club placed a depth forward on waivers, hoping to sneak him through.
That depth forward is Joey Anderson. The 27-year-old has been out with a lower-body injury and has not played for the Blackhawks this season.
Anderson is in the second year of a two-year contract with an AAV of $800K. The Minnesota native was the New Jersey Devils’ third-round pick in the 2016 NHL Draft. After two seasons with the Devils, he spent parts of three seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Leafs ended up moving him at the 2023 trade deadline in a deal that sent Sam Lafferty and Jake McCabe to Toronto. Since then, Anderson has been somewhat of a regular for the Blackhawks.
His best year came in 2023-24 when he played 55 games, scoring five goals and 17 points. Last season, Anderson managed just one assist in 18 games.
As such, it’s not a mind-shocking surprise to Anderson hit the waiver wire. The move likely responds to the need for Anderson to get some playing time in the AHL. If he clears, he’ll report to the Rockford IceHogs.
Assuming he clears, there may still be a role for Anderson in Chicago. The veteran winger could play a role if injuries become an issue for the club at some point down the line.
Blackhawks Could Lose Anderson to Waiver Claim
There’s a chance the Blackhawks could lose Anderson to a waiver claim. Teams around the league have been feeling the bite of the injury bug already this season. So, adding a depth forward might be on their radar, especially as insurance.
Anderson could be a solid 13th or 14th forward on a team that might be thin on NHL-level players. Teams like the San Jose Sharks, Boston Bruins, or Buffalo Sabres may want to give Anderson a look.
While it’s more than likely Anderson clears, he might generate some interest given his affordable contract. Teams will have till 2 pm EST on Sunday to claim Anderson. Otherwise, Anderson will head to the AHL without any hindrance.
Chicago Has no Real Spot for Anderson
The Blackhawks don’t really have a spot for Anderson at this point. While he could be a serviceable depth forward, the club may not want him riding the press box at this point. Given that he’s coming off an injury, getting some much-needed playing time would be the best thing for Anderson.
The Blackhawks’ bottom six looks set unless the club chooses to move Lukas Reichel. Also, other depth forwards like Lafferty and Colton Dach could give way to Anderson at some point. But since the Blackhawks are playing much better than expected, it’s tough to envision Anderson getting a shot at this point.
Overall, the Blackhawks have a surplus of useful forwards. So, a trade may not be out of the question. Teams desperate for depth as injuries hit this season may give Anderson a second look.
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