Nashville Predators center Cody Hodgson (11) is congratulated by Shea Weber (6) and Seth Jones (3) after Hodgson scored a goal on a penalty shot against the Calgary Flames during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn. person with direct knowledge of the decision has told The Associated Press the Predators have placed under-performing forward Hodgson on waivers.Mark Humphrey/The Associated Press
Predators forward Cody Hodgson is running out of second chances, and Zack Kassian is getting another NHL shot, this time in Edmonton.
Two former first-round draft picks involved in a trade between Buffalo and Vancouver four years ago were heading in different directions Wednesday. Shortly after the Oilers announced they were calling up Kassian from the minors, a person with direct knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press that the Predators placed Hodgson on waivers.
It's the latest setback for Hodgson, who is on his third team since being selected by Vancouver with the 10th pick in the 2008 draft. Hodgson has struggled since the Predators signed him in free agency last summer, and after the Sabres bought out the final four years of his contract.
Hodgson has just three goals and eight points in 39 games, and was a healthy scratch in four of Nashville's past eight games. Since scoring a career-best 20 goals and 44 points in 2013-14 with Buffalo, he's combined for just nine goals and 21 points in 117 games over the past two seasons.
For Kassian, his promotion from AHL Bakersfield comes a little over two weeks after the Oilers acquired the forward in a trade with Montreal. The trade was made shortly after Kassian was cleared to play after spending more than two months in a substance abuse program
Kassian was acquired by the Canadiens in a trade with Vancouver last summer, but never played a game in Montreal.
In early October, Kassian was placed in Stage 2 of the NHL's substance abuse and behavioural program after breaking his nose and left foot in motor vehicle accident.
The Sabres selected Kassian with the 13th pick in the 2009 draft.
Overall, he has 32 goals and 59 points in 171 career games.
In other NHL moves, the Arizona Coyotes claimed Columbus defenceman Kevin Cannauton off waivers. ... The Colorado Avalanche placed defenceman Nathan Guenin on waivers. ... Vancouver forward Chris Higgins cleared waivers. The Canucks announced last weekend that they intend to trade Higgins