NHL Waivers: Fairness in Player Assignments

0:00On March 29th, NHL waivers are basically a league tool to keep things fair when teams try to send players down to the minors. If a team wants to demote a guy from the NHL to the AHL, they put him on waivers first, giving all 30 other teams a shot to claim him for free, taking over his full contract with no trade cost. This started back in the 50s as an intralee draft to help weaker teams grab talent and boost balance. There are three main types, regular waivers for minor league assignments, unconditional ones for buyouts or contract terminations, which rarely get, claimed, and reentry waivers that got scrapped after the last CBA. They kick in 12 days before the regular season, and last until the day after a team season ends, like if the Bruins lose playoffs on May 2nd. There's Rap May 3rd. Players hit waivers based on when they sign their first NHL deal, their age then, games played, and pro years. Skaters and goalies have slight differences. Young guys signing at 18 get exempt up to 160 games or 5 seasons, whichever first, but racking up games burns that clock quick.

1:08One way or two way contracts don't factor in at all, it's all about that exemption chart. Claims work reverse last season's standings before November 1st, then switch to current ones. Teams get 24 hours to bite, and if multiple claim, lowest team picks first, which trade rules offering it back to others. Like when Evgeny Nabokov came back from Russia, Islanders snagged him off waivers. Waivers stop teams from hiding stars in the minors, forcing real choices, and keeping the league competitive smart system that levels the ice without. Much drama most days. You've been listening to NHL News today, AI Power Team Coverage.