Waivers: Columbus claims Jack Skille; Aaron Ness, others clear; Hawks waive TJ Brennan

More record-keeping from waiver-and-tradenado weekend on Long Island: The Columbus Blue Jackets have (re)claimed forward Jack Skille off of waivers.

The Blue Jackets have been hit by a rash of forward injuries, plus one rash contract stalemate with Ryan Johansen. Skille, who did well filling in for injuries late last season and in the playoffs for Columbus, signed with the Isles this summer on a two-way deal that would still pay him a $300,000 AHL salary ($750,000 in the NHL).

He was always going to be a waiver risk -- the 2005 7th-overall pick previously bounced around from Chicago to Florida to Columbus -- and the Islanders' second-day free agent additions of Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolay Kulemin meant the competition for forward jobs would be that much tougher.

Though it makes it tougher for teams to hoard depth, in a way this is exactly what the waiver system is designed to do: When a player's been around a while and paid his dues, you can't send him to the minors if another team is willing to give him a job in the NHL.

At least for now, Columbus will give him that job.

Meanwhile, another signing from the summer, and involved in yesterday's trades, is also hitting waivers: The Chicago Blackhawks have put TJ Brennan on waivers for assignment to the AHL. Will someone else guarantee him a job, finally?

Others Assigned to Sound Tigers

Skille's fellow passengers on the waiver train all cleared, so Aaron Ness, Harry Zolnierczyk, and goalies Kevin Poulin and David Leggio are now officially assigned to the Islanders' AHL affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Along with newcomer Kent Simpson, they join a bevy of others assigned to Bridgeport.

However, with yesterday's additions of Johnny Boychuk and Nick Leddy, the Islanders have more cuts to come by Tuesday evening.