Red Wings could benefit from Sabres forward placed on NHL waivers at low-cost

The Buffalo Sabres placed forward Carson Meyer on waivers Monday.

The forward was originally drafted 179th overall in the 6th round of the NHL draft in 2017 by the Columbus Blue Jackets. Since 2023-24, he's become a journeyman in the league, playing for both the San Diego Gulls and the Cleveland Monsters recently.

NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman reported today that the team has waived him to be reassigned to the Rochester Americans, if he clears.

The forward began the year on the injured, non-roster list for the team.

And now, the Red Wings have an opportunity to claim him and add depth to their depleted depth in the AHL.

The Buffalo Sabres originally signed the forward on July 2nd to a two-year, two-way contract. The 28-year-old originally began his professional hockey career with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2021-22.

He's played a total of 41 games during his short stints in the NHL, as he has scored 6 points (2-4) in 41 games.

Last season with the Anaheim Ducks affiliate, the San Diego Gulls, he scored a total of 21 points (9-12) in 29 games with the team.

While he'd not reach heights in production he'd seen before with the Cleveland Monsters in 2021-22, where he'd score 27 points (16-11) in 57 games for the Blue Jackets farm team, he could still offer some good depth for the Grand Rapids Griffins, who are currently sitting at first overall in the entire American Hockey League.

Meyer's contract pays him a league minimum of $775K AAV (average annual value) over the next two years.

This could be a great low-cost opportunity for the Red Wings, who are trying to save their money for the long-term goal of a playoff run.