After the NHL trade deadline, it isn't often that you see players placed on waivers. However, when you do, it is often the unconditional type for players to have their contracts terminated. Yesterday, the Minnesota Wild made the decision to place highly regarded 22-year-old prospect Vladislav Firstov on unconditional waivers for purposes of terminating his deal.
When Minnesota drafted Firstov in the second round of the 2019 NHL draft, they had high hopes for the prospect. Firstov was coming off a rookie season in the USHL where he put up 26 goals and 32 assists. However, after 3 years at the University of Connecticut, the prospect struggled to convert his game to the professional level.
After not making the NHL roster in 2021, 2022 and 2023, Firstov played limited games in the AHL. In two of those years he made the decision to return home to Russia and play in the KHL. Now it appears Firstov has given up completely on the NHL and is requested to have his deal terminated.
