Former Florida Panthers Prospect Claimed Off NHL Waivers

Former Florida Panthers prospect Vladislav Kolyachonok was claimed off NHL waivers by the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday.

The 23-year-old defenseman was placed on NHL waivers by Utah on Saturday.

If you remember Kolyachonok from his time with the Panthers, you have a pretty good memory.

Florida drafted Kolyachonok in the second round of what would be Dale Tallon’s final draft with the Panthers in 2019.

During the 2021 Covid season, he played for the AHL Syracuse Crunch when the Panthers and Lightning shared the team.

And that was it.

The Panthers were high on Kolyachonok, but he was the price for Florida being able to send defenseman Anton Stralman to the Coyotes in 2021.

Florida was running out of cap space after signing Sam Bennett and needing to get Sam Reinhart under contract.

Moving Stralman — and Kolyachonok — helped accomplish that.

Kolyachonok has spent time in the NHL with the Utah/Coyotes, scoring four goals with 12 points in 62 career games.

With Utah this season, he had two goals and five points in 23 games.

The Panthers are off until the end of the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off with their next game Feb. 22 against Seattle.

ON DECK: GAME No. 58

SEATTLE KRAKEN at FLORIDA PANTHERS

• When: Saturday, Feb. 22, 6 p.m.
• Where: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise
• Local TV: Scripps Sports — WSFL 39 (Miami/FtL); WHDT 9 (WPB); LAFF 36.3 (SWFla)
• Streaming: Panthers+, ESPN+
• Radio: WPOW 96.5-FM2; WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); SiriusXM
• Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM 932, NHL App
• Season Series (Panthers Lead 1-0) — At Seattle: Panthers 2, Kraken 1 SO (Dec. 11). At Florida: Feb. 22.
• Last Season: Tied 1-1
• All-Time Regular Season Series: Seattle leads 4-3-0
• Up Next for the Panthers: Feb. 25 at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m.