"After a strong, promising rookie season, Brandon Yip? found himself on NHL waivers Wednesday.

It's part of a stunning fall from the heights that saw Yip playing a top-six forward role for the Avalanche in the 2009 playoffs against the San Jose Sharks?. If no team claims him by today, Yip will be assigned to Lake Erie of the American Hockey League.

In 10 games for the Avalanche this season, Yip had zero points and 12 shots on goal. After posting 19 points (11 goals) as a rookie in the 2009-10 season, Yip fell to 12 goals and 22 points in 71 games last season, with a minus-22 rating."