Alex Nylander, Dakota Mermis, Valtteri Pulli placed on waivers; Oilers claim Alec Regula

Some notable action on the waiver wire on Tuesday.

The Toronto Maple Leafs placed forwards Alex Nylander and Dakota Mermis on waivers, while the San Jose Sharks put defenseman Valtteri Pulli on the wire for purposes of contract termination.

Also, the Edmonton Oilers claimed defenseman Alec Regula from the Boston Bruins.

Mermis & A. Nylander (TOR) on waives….Pulli (SJ) too

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) December 11, 2024

The younger of the Nylander brothers in Toronto started the 2024-25 season on an American Hockey League contract with the Maple Leafs’ primary affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. However, injuries led to the Swedish winger being signed to a prorated one-year contract. He ended up playing five games for the Leafs, registering zero points, and he last saw game action in Toronto’s 5-2 loss against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Dec. 7.

Mermis came to Toronto after spending the previous four seasons with the Minnesota Wild organization on a one-year contract. However, during the preseason, Mermis underwent jaw surgery, which kept him out for two months. He joined the Marlies a couple of weeks ago on a conditioning loan, posting an assist in three games so far.

Pulli has never played an NHL game. The Turku, Finland native came to San Jose on a two-year contract signed in May 2023. He played 59 games last season for the Sharks’ AHL club, the San Jose Barracuda, scoring three goals in 10 points. Pulli has played just two games for the Barracuda in 2024-25.

According to assistant general manager Joe Will, the contract termination was agreed upon by both sides.

“Valtteri requested to play in Europe and we mutually agreed to terminate his contract,” Will said. “We want to thank Valtteri for his contributions to the organization and wish him all the best.”

Pulli came to the Sharks after spending multiple seasons in the TPS system in Finland.

Regula was placed on waivers by the Bruins on Monday after not starting the 2024-25 campaign on time while recovering from offseason knee surgery. The operation came right after he re-signed with the Bruins, coming on board for another year on a two-way contract with an NHL cap hit of $775,000.

In 22 career NHL games, Regula has scored just one goal. In 163 AHL appearances, he has notched 16 goals and 61 assists for 77 points, including two more in 10 Calder Cup Playoff games.