For the second time in three days, a former Capitals player is on the waiver wire.
The Seattle Kraken announced Wednesday afternoon that they had placed goaltender Philipp Grubauer on waivers. If he clears, he will be assigned to the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds.
The #SeaKraken have placed goaltender Philipp Grubauer on waivers for the purpose of being assigned to the Coachella Valley @Firebirds.
— Seattle Kraken PR (@SeattleKrakenPR) January 29, 2025
Grubauer, 33, spent parts of six seasons in Washington, serving primarily as a backup for Braden Holtby, and won a Stanley Cup with the Caps in 2018. He was later named a Vezina finalist in 2021 while playing for the Colorado Avalanche.
After signing as a free agent for Seattle’s inaugural season in 2021, Grubauer helped lead the Kraken to their first ever playoff series win in 2023. His recent numbers, however, have been far less rosy. He has a record of 5-15-1 in 21 games this season and his 17.5 goals saved below expected ranks worst in the league, per MoneyPuck.
Among goaltenders with 10 or more games played, Grubauer holds the second-worst save percentage (.866) and the third-worst goals against average (3.83). Joey Daccord, his goaltending partner, has posted a far stronger record of 17-12-2 with a .916 save percentage and a 2.45 goals-against average.
Grubauer posted his fifth-straight loss Tuesday night, falling to the Anaheim Ducks 6-4 in his first start since January 12, when head coach Dan Bylsma pulled him after he allowed three goals on four shots against the Detroit Red Wings.
He has two full years remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $5.9 million per season.
