Oskar Lindblom among four placed on unconditional waivers

With the NHL's first buyout window closing today at 5 p.m. ET, the waiver wire was busy, with four players being put on unconditional waivers.

According to TSN's Chris Johnston, Oskar Lindblom (Philadelphia), Rudolfs Balcers (San Jose), Michael Del Zotto (Ottawa) and Janne Kuokkanen (New Jersey) have all been placed on unconditional waivers for the purpose of a contract buyout.

Lindblom, 25, had a strong 2021-22 season, less than two years after being deemed cancer-free by doctors. In 79 games this season, the Galve (Sweden) native had 26 points (twelve goals, fourteen assists), 22 penalty minutes and was a minus-eleven.

Balcers, 25, was in his second full season with the San Jose Sharks during the 2021-22 campaign. The Liepaja (Latvia) native posted career-highs in goals (11), assists (12) and points (23).

Del Zotto, 32, is the most well-known player on the waiver wire on Tuesday, having spent parts of thirteen seasons in the National Hockey League. The 2021-22 season was a frustrating one for the Stouffville (Ontario) native as he split time between the Ottawa Senators and their AHL affiliate in Belleville. It was the first time since the 2010-11 season that Del Zotto appeared in the American Hockey League.

Kuokkanen, 24, much like Rudolfs Balcers, just completed his second full season in the National Hockey League after splitting time between the AHL and NHL in previous years. In 57 games with the Devils, the Oulunsalo (Finland) native had seventeen points (six goals, eleven assists), ten penalty minutes and was a minus-ten.

Once these four players clear unconditional waivers at noon on Wednesday, they will officially become unrestricted free agents.

Michael Del Zotto (OTT), Rudolfs Balcers (SJ), Oskar Lindblom (PHI) and Janne Kuokkanen (NJ) have been placed on unconditional waivers for the purpose of a buyout.

The NHL's first buyout window closes at 5 p.m. ET today.— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 12, 2022

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