Steven Lorentz is on waivers as Jim Hiller and the Maple Leafs headline a 30-player NHL roster squeeze Thursday.
Toronto placed 8 players on waivers: Lorentz, Brendan Brisson, Vinni Lettieri, Philippe Myers, Michael Pezzetta, Marshall Rifai, Henrik Rybinski and Ryan Tverberg.
That is the largest group from any team on Thursday's list, immediately putting several depth jobs under the microscope as Toronto moves closer to its opening roster.
Minnesota wasn't far behind. The Wild waived 8 players of their own, including Dylan Gambrell, Justin Kirkland, Tyler Pitlick, Mason Shaw and Carson Lambos.
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Los Angeles sent 5 players through waivers: Martin Chromiak, Cole Guttman, Joe Hicketts, Lane Pederson and Francesco Pinelli.
Carolina added Viktor Neuchev, Zachary Sawchenko and Ronan Seeley, while Dallas exposed Kyle Burroughs and Matthew Seminoff.
Roster battles are reaching decision time
The volume matters because waivers are one of the clearest signs that training-camp evaluations are turning into actual roster decisions. Players who clear can be assigned without occupying an NHL roster spot.
For veterans such as Lorentz, Pitlick, Gambrell and Pezzetta, the next stage carries real uncertainty. Another NHL club can claim them before their current teams get the chance to move them down.
The list also includes younger names still trying to force their way into NHL plans. Brisson, Pinelli, Lambos and Neuchev now face a different type of roster pressure.
Ottawa placed goaltender Leevi Merilainen on waivers, while Nashville did the same with Matthew Murray. Pittsburgh added defenseman Philip Kemp.
Vancouver's Matthew Stienburg was also included, giving Thursday's waiver activity representation from 9 different NHL organizations.
Toronto remains the team drawing the most attention simply because of the size of its group. Sending 8 players through at once creates a much clearer picture of where Hiller's roster battle is heading.
Now comes the waiting period. Some names will clear and report elsewhere in the organization. Others could suddenly change teams before the roster squeeze is finished.
Will one of the 30 players placed on waivers be claimed?
Also read on Markerzone.com:
Maple Leafs to place 30-year-old forward on waivers: John Chayka cuts a full-time roster player
