How NHL Waivers Work Explainer
NHL waivers give other clubs a chance to claim certain players before they can be assigned from the NHL roster to a minor-league team. The system protects player opportunity and competitive balance by preventing a club from freely hiding experienced NHL-caliber players outside the league.
Whether a player is exempt depends mainly on age at signing, seasons since the first NHL contract, and NHL games played. Younger prospects often begin exempt, then lose that status after reaching a time or games threshold. Goalies and skaters have different thresholds in the collective bargaining agreement.
When a non-exempt player is placed on regular waivers, every other club has a set claim window. If one team claims the player, it assumes the contract and adds the player to its roster. If several teams claim, priority is determined by the league’s waiver order at that point in the season.
A player who clears can usually be loaned to the minors, but the clearance is not indefinite. Returning to the NHL roster for enough games or days can require waivers again. That clock is why teams carefully coordinate recalls, injuries, and roster space.
No. Exemption depends on the player's age at signing, elapsed seasons, games played, and position.
The claiming club takes over the contract and the player joins that club's NHL roster.
Not necessarily. Enough NHL games or roster days can cause the player to require waivers again.
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