Lightning place goaltender on unconditional waivers

According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the Tampa Bay Lightning have placed goaltender Amir Miftakhov on unconditional waivers for the purpose of a contract buyout.

Miftakhov, 22, was selected by the Lightning in the sixth round (186th overall) in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Tampa signed Miftakhov to a three-year, entry-level contract in May of 2021, but his first season in North America didn't go as many hoped and it appears he's headed back to the KHL.

The Kazan native appeared in 22 games for Tampa Bay's American Hockey League affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, where he had a record of 7-8-3 with a 3.03 GAA, an .891 save percentage and one shutout.

Miftakhov also played in six games with Tampa Bay's ECHL affiliate, the Orlando Solar Bears, posting a record of 2-3-0 with a 2.23 GAA and a .920 save percentage.

With Miftakhov likely heading home to Russia, the Lightning's goaltending prospect depth has taken a hit, but all eyes are on Hugo Alnefelt, as he's viewed as their goaltender of the future. But that likely won't be for a while as Andrei Vasilevskiy is still only 27 and under contract until after the 2027-28 season.

TB goalie prospect Amir Miftakhov on unconditional waivers— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 1, 2022

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