Golden Knights place defenseman on waivers for contract termination

The Vegas Golden Knights have placed defenseman Daniil Chayka on waivers for contract termination purposes.

The Golden Knights selected the 22-year-old Russian defenseman in the second round (38th overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft. The 6’3 defenseman left the KHL to return to the Guelph Storm in the OHL after the COVID season where he showed the potential to one day become an NHL defenseman.

Known for its defensive play, the Golden Knights hoped to unlock a little more on the offensive side of the puck. Chayka played two full seasons with the Henderson Silver Knights in the AHL where he scored three goals and 15 points in 121 games. In just five games during the 2024-25 season, he has produced just one assist.

Chayka started the season with the Silver Knights but was recently demoted to the Tahoe Knight Monsters of the ECHL. His offensive game remained non-existent, recording just one assist in four games.

Russian hockey insider Artur Khairullin reported that Chayka will return to the KHL to sign with Avangard Omsk. Chayka’s only season in the KHL was spent with CSKA Moskva, meaning he will embark on a new journey with an entirely different organization.

With the size and intangibles that the Moskva, Russia native possesses, it’s unfortunate that he never managed to become the player the Golden Knights hoped he would become. His understanding of how to use his size to his advantage and play physically are qualities every NHL team looks for, but his struggles with the puck and inability to adapt to North American professional hockey ultimately lead to this conclusion.

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