Islanders Place Julien Gauthier on Waivers

Gauthier is signed through the 2024-25 season.

While the best of the best were in Toronto gearing up for the NHL All-Star Skills Competition, the New York Islanders made a move, placing forward Julien Gauthier on waivers.

The 26-year-old seemed to earn a starting job after a strong training camp but didn't crack the opening night lineup.

However, as the season progressed, Gauthier got a chance and played strong enough to stay in the lineup. 

But toward the end of the week, heading into the All-Star break, it appeared that new head coach Patrick Roy wasn't in favor of the speedy forward, benching him in the 4-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens last Thursday before making him watch from the press box Saturday night in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Florida Panthers. 

Gauthier, who had five goals and four assists through 27 games, signed a two-year extension this past summer worth $1.575 million. 

The Islanders have not made this announcement official just yet.