Two NHL defensemen suddenly up for grabs after Blue Jackets and Senators roster moves

Two veteran defensemen are suddenly up for grabs.

Elliotte Friedman reports that Columbus blueliner Carson Soucy and Ottawa defenseman Cameron Crotty have both been placed on waivers, so every other NHL team now has a chance to claim them.

Soucy is the bigger name. The 32-year-old came to Blue Jackets camp on a tryout in September and earned a one-year, $1.15 million deal on September 29.

Less than a month later he is on the wire.

Columbus was getting Dante Fabbro back from injury Tuesday night, and Soucy was listed among the scratches.

Vancouver fans will remember him well.

Soucy signed with the Canucks as a free agent in 2023 and played 99 games there before the Rangers sent a third-round pick for him in 2025.

He even drew a disciplinary hearing for a cross-check on Connor McDavid during the 2024 playoffs.

Last season he finished with the Islanders.

Crotty is a different story. The 27-year-old Ottawa native signed a two-year, two-way deal with his hometown Senators in August 2025.

He earned his first career NHL point in April and got into a playoff game against Carolina.

He started this season on the roster, then spent time on injured reserve in October.

Both players are eligible for waivers, so teams get a 24 hour window to put in a claim.

Soucy carries a $1.15 million cap hit and a reputation as a shot blocker and penalty killer, which could appeal to a contender short on depth.

Crotty is a 6-foot-3 right shot who could also draw interest.

If neither is claimed, they can be assigned to Cleveland and Belleville.

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