The Senators have moved to create a roster opening, placing Kurtis MacDermid on waivers, according to Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch.
MacDermid, a veteran winger who has also filled in on defense at times, arrived in Ottawa during the 2025 preseason as part of a swap of tough guys that sent Zack MacEwen to New Jersey. But the change didn’t lead to much ice time.
The 32-year-old appeared in just 19 games, picked up one assist, piled up 33 penalty minutes and 18 hits, and averaged only 4:12 per night. He didn’t play in the playoffs.
His season began with an injured/non-roster designation because of an upper-body injury, and Monday’s waiver move shows he has recovered. Players with injuries aren’t eligible to go through waivers.
Over the course of nine NHL seasons and four teams, MacDermid has logged 307 career games. His most productive offensive year came in 2019-20 with Los Angeles, when he posted eight points in 45 games while handling a regular role on the blue line. In more recent seasons, though, he has mostly been used as a fourth-line enforcer.
MacDermid is in the last year of a three-year, one-way deal with a $1.15MM cap hit. If he clears, Ottawa can wipe the full salary from its books, which would nearly double its cap flexibility.
Teams have until 1 PM CT on Sunday to claim him. If he goes unclaimed, he’ll be headed to the AHL for the first time since 2018-19.
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