Forward Josh Ho-Sang, the New York Islanders' 2014 first-round pick, was placed on waivers by the team on Monday.
Ho-Sang, 23, will report to the team's AHL team, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, if he clears waivers and is not claimed by another NHL team by Tuesday.
Joining Ho-Sang on waivers are defenseman Thomas Hickey and forward Tanner Fritz.
Ho-Sang has notched 53 NHL games in his young career, recording seven goals at 17 assists.
General Manager Lou Lamoriello addressed the decision on Ho-Sang on Monday and told reporters that it wasn't anything to do with anything off the ice.
"(Ho-Sang) came in and did everything you could ask of a player to try and win a spot," Lamoriello said. "In my opinion, he was given every opportunity; it just did not work out. It's also the play of a young player who can come up if he progresses the way we think he will."
Among Ho-Sang's off-ice decisions which was controversial in the hockey world was his decision to wear No. 66, which famously was worn by Pittsburgh Penguins' star-turned-owner Mario Lemieux in his career. Lamoriello, an old-school hockey traditionalist, requested Ho-Sang change his number despite Lemieux himself previously supported his decision.
Ho-Sand ended up wearing No. 26 during the preseason and only had one assist in three exhibition contests. He began playing more of a defensive role with the club. As a former first-round pick, Ho-Sang has a decent chance to be picked up by another team because of that and his affordable one-year deal worth $874,125.