Former Penguins Defender Hits Waivers: What’s Next for These Surprising Moves?

So here’s a twist that catches the eye—Vladislav Kolyachonok, once skating on the Pittsburgh Penguins’ blue line, is suddenly dangling on the waiver wire by the Dallas Stars. It’s a curious shuffle, given the off-season trade that sent him there in exchange for Matt Dumba and a future draft pick—who, by the way, found himself on waivers by the Penguins not long ago. Now, Kolyachonok’s stats with Dallas—three points, a positive plus-3 in 11 games—show he’s not just warming the bench. Yet, despite those numbers, the Stars are willing to let him go. I can’t help but wonder what this signals about team strategies and roster gambles—always a chess game in the NHL. Plus, it’s not just him; the waiver wire is bustling with names like Blackhawks’ Laurent Brossoit and Red Wings’ Jonatan Berggren. For those tracking the moves, it’s a moment ripe with possibilities and surprises. LEARN MORE.

A former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman is available for the taking.

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Dallas Stars have placed former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok on waivers.

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The Penguins traded Kolyachonok to the Stars during the off-season in exchange for blueliner Matt Dumba and a 2028 second-round pick. Interestingly, Dumba was placed on waivers by the Penguins last week, and Kolyachonok has now hit the wire himself with today’s news.

Kolyachonok has recorded one goal, two assists, three points, five hits, and a plus-3 rating in 11 games this season with the Stars. His most recent appearance for the Stars was on Dec. 11, where he recorded one block in 11:55 of ice time.

Kolyachonok played in 12 games for the Penguins this past season after they claimed him off waivers from Utah, where he recorded zero goals, two assists, eight penalty minutes, and a minus-5 rating.

In addition to Kolyachonok being placed on waivers, Chicago Blackhawks goalie Laurent Brossoit and Detroit Red Wings forward Jonatan Berggren have also hit the wire.