Golden Knights Place Defenseman On Waivers For Purpose Of Contract Termination

The Vegas Golden Knights have placed defenseman Daniil Chayka on waivers for the purpose of contract termination.

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

Known for his defensive game, the Golden Knights were hoping to unlock a bit 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 produced just one assist.

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

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

With the size and intangibles the Moskva, Russia native possess, it’s unfortunate that he never panned out to be the player the Golden Knights were hoping for him to become. His understanding of how to use his height to his advantage and play physically are traits that every NHL team is looking for but his struggles with the puck and inability to adapt to professional North American hockey ultimately lead to this conclusion.

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