Anaheim Ducks Place Nick Jensen on Waivers Months After Signing Him

The Anaheim Ducks just placed veteran defenseman Nick Jensen on waivers, proving that NHL free agency grades have the shelf life of an open avocado. Elliotte Friedman broke the news on Saturday, officially ending the honeymoon phase in Southern California before the Halloween candy even went on sale.

This is the kind of roster move that makes you double-take the calendar. Anaheim literally just signed Jensen to a two-year deal worth $2.25 million annually on July 1. At the time, the analytics crowd called it a steal for a steady, penalty-killing veteran. Four months later, he is free to anyone with a waiver claim and a dream.

"Elliotte Friedman reported: 'Nick Jensen (ANA) on waivers'"

You do not have to look hard to find the breaking point. Jensen has suited up for exactly three games this season, logging a quiet 15 minutes of ice time per night. But the real story is the absolute defensive collapse happening around him.

The Ducks are currently playing defense like it is an optional morning skate. They just surrendered six goals in a loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday, followed by a seven-goal meltdown against the Buffalo Sabres on Friday. When a team gives up 13 goals in 48 hours, somebody is getting a one-way ticket out of the locker room.

For anyone tracking the betting markets, this is the exact type of depth chart chaos that swings game totals. Removing a veteran right-shot defenseman from an already bleeding blue line makes Anaheim an even bigger target for opposing player props until they prove they can actually stop a puck.

Now we wait to see if another general manager thinks they can fix him. If Jensen clears waivers, he is likely heading to the AHL to find his game. Meanwhile, the Ducks have to figure out how to play actual NHL defense before the Ottawa Senators roll into town on Monday.