Maple Leafs, Blue Jackets Place Veterans on Waivers Amid Roster Shuffling
Tuesday brought a bit of movement on the NHL waiver wire, with a few recognizable names hitting the list as teams continue to tweak their rosters heading into the back half of the season.
The Toronto Maple Leafs placed veteran defenseman Dakota Mermis on waivers, while the Columbus Blue Jackets did the same with forwards Brendan Gaunce and Zach Aston-Reese. If all three clear waivers on Wednesday, they’ll be eligible for assignment to their respective AHL affiliates - the Toronto Marlies and Cleveland Monsters.
Let’s break down what’s happening with each player, and what it could mean going forward.
Dakota Mermis: A Comeback Delayed
For Mermis, this move comes as he continues to work his way back from a lower-body injury that’s kept him sidelined since December 8. The injury occurred during a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, when he was on the receiving end of a knee-on-knee hit from Bolts forward Gage Goncalves - a play that earned Goncalves a five-minute major and a game misconduct. Mermis was placed on injured reserve shortly after.
Before the injury, Mermis had carved out a depth role on the Leafs’ blue line, skating in 11 games and logging just over 13 minutes per night. He also managed to notch his first NHL goal since the 2023-24 season, when he was with the Minnesota Wild. His plus/minus sat at -3, but given the limited minutes and situational usage, that stat doesn’t tell the whole story.
The 32-year-old is in the first year of a two-year deal he signed with Toronto last July, carrying a cap hit of $812,500. He’s also seen time with the Marlies this season, appearing in three games at the AHL level.
With 89 NHL games under his belt, Mermis has five goals and nine assists for 14 points in his career. While he’s not a top-pairing guy, he’s the kind of steady, veteran presence teams like to have in the system - someone who can step in when injuries hit and provide reliable minutes.
Zach Aston-Reese: A Familiar Face in a Tough Spot
Aston-Reese has been a bit of a journeyman in recent years, and this season with Columbus has followed a familiar pattern. He’s been in and out of the lineup, splitting time between the ice and the press box. Through 26 games, he’s recorded one goal and four assists, with his lone tally coming on January 17 against his former team, the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The 31-year-old signed a one-year deal with the Blue Jackets worth $775,000, and while his offensive numbers aren’t eye-popping, that’s never been the main reason teams bring him in. Aston-Reese has long built his value on physical play, defensive responsibility, and penalty killing - the kind of gritty, bottom-six role player that coaches love in tight-checking games.
Still, with Columbus looking to inject more youth and speed into the lineup, his spot has become less secure. If he clears waivers, he could bring veteran leadership to the Monsters while staying ready for a potential call-up later in the season.
Brendan Gaunce: A Versatile Option on the Move
Gaunce has split time between Columbus and Cleveland this season, and he’s been productive in the AHL - four goals and six points in 12 games with the Monsters. At the NHL level, he’s played in 25 games, notching two goals and four assists for six points.
Like Aston-Reese, Gaunce is a 31-year-old forward on a team that’s clearly in transition. He’s in the final year of a two-year deal signed in July 2024, carrying an AAV of $775,000. With 214 NHL games under his belt, Gaunce has totaled 15 goals and 20 assists.
His value lies in his versatility - he can play center or wing, kill penalties, and handle bottom-six minutes without much fuss. He’s the kind of player coaches trust to keep things simple and responsible, especially when injuries force lineup changes.
What This Means
For all three players, hitting waivers doesn’t necessarily mean the end of their NHL story this season. It’s more about roster flexibility. With the trade deadline approaching and teams managing cap space and injuries, moves like these are often about opening up options - whether that’s making room for a younger player, preparing for a return from injury, or simply giving a veteran a chance to get more reps in the AHL.
If they clear waivers, Mermis, Aston-Reese, and Gaunce will continue to play key roles in their organizations - just not necessarily at the NHL level for now. And as we’ve seen time and time again, depth matters. When the playoff race tightens or injuries pile up, these are the types of players who often get the call.