In an interesting turn of events, the Toronto Maple Leafs have placed Adam Brooks right back on waivers today after claiming him yesterday. It is the fourth time that Brooks has ended up on waivers this season.
Normally, if a player is reclaimed by his former team on waivers and no one else puts in a claim, that team can send him directly to the minor leagues. But since Brooks had a stop-off with the Montreal Canadiens in between his stints with Toronto and the Vegas Golden Knights, only Montreal was allowed that exception. The Maple Leafs could not send him to the AHL without first clearing waivers again. That could certainly be possible this time as even for the Maple Leafs to claim him yesterday, most of the league (including the Canadiens) would have had to pass. Toronto sits near the very end of the waiver order, which is based on the reverse standings.
Still, the Golden Knights now hold that exception, and if they are the only team to put in a claim this time around now they could assign Brooks directly to the minor leagues. That would be a risky move though, as if someone else claims him as well, the Golden Knights would have to keep him on the active roster–something that wasn’t possible given the recent Jack Eichel activation. If any other team claims him, including Montreal, he would have to stay on the active roster.
It’s a lot of roster and cap gymnastics but what it mostly comes down to is Brooks available once again. The 25-year-old forward has two goals and three points in 11 games this season, split between the Golden Knights and Canadiens. Perhaps this time there will be some stability for the fourth-round pick, at one level or another.