PUBLICATION
Sam Walker
January 16, 2026Â Â (3:08 PM)
Photo credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The Chicago Blackhawks must make a decision following two known faces being placed on NHL waivers on Friday, January 16.
The New Jersey Devils officially placed forward Juho Lammikko and defenseman Colton White on waivers on Friday.
Lammikko is 29, a 2014 third-round pick, 65th overall, originally drafted by the Florida Panthers. He signed a one-year, one-way deal worth $800,000 and came back from three seasons with ZSC Lions in Switzerland.
Those Swiss years mattered; 112 points in 144 games, including 48 goals, is real production even if it was overseas. In New Jersey this season he has two assists in 22 games and is often used in a bottom-six role.
New Jersey Devils waivers test Chicago Blackhawks options
White is 28, a 2015 fourth-round pick, 97th overall, and he carries a $775,000 cap hit this season.
He has appeared in 23 games and posted four assists, which is fine for a depth left-shot defender. The Devils leaned on him when the blue line got banged up, but waivers suggest that emergency stretch is cooling off.
Both players fit the Blackhawks’ current age gap and could flourish with an opportunity with more NHL minutes, something Chicago can offer.
This is where the Chicago Blackhawks angle gets interesting, because a cheap claim can plug holes without paying a prospect tax via trade.
Lammikko could handle fourth-line center minutes and penalty-kill support, while White can be a safe third-pair call when schedules get heavy.
If nobody claims them, the expectation is both could be assigned to Utica on Saturday, which would cut New Jersey’s active roster down and open recall options.
Either way, it’s a clean reminder that January is when depth starts getting tested for real.
Previously on Chicago Hockey Insider