NHL Teams Waived 34 Players in Roster Moves

Multiple organizations placed dozens of athletes on waivers to finalize rosters ahead of the upcoming season.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Hockey

NHL Teams Waived 34 Players in Roster Moves

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NHL teams placed 34 players on waivers on Wednesday in a series of transactions. This league-wide process allows teams to make players available for rival claims or reassign them to minor league affiliates.

Why it matters

The waiver process is a critical mechanism for clubs to manage their roster compositions and salary cap obligations before the regular season begins. Players who pass through waivers unclaimed are typically assigned to American Hockey League rosters.

A total of 34 players were placed on waivers across the NHL on Wednesday. This follows a Tuesday session where 15 players successfully cleared waivers.

The players

Philadelphia Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional NHL team based in Pennsylvania that competes in the Metropolitan Division.

Vegas Golden Knights

The Vegas Golden Knights are a professional NHL team based in Nevada that joined the league as an expansion franchise.

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs are an Original Six NHL franchise based in Ontario that competes in the Atlantic Division.

Vancouver Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks are a professional NHL team based in British Columbia that plays in the Pacific Division.

Columbus Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets are an NHL team based in Ohio that operates within the Metropolitan Division.

The details

Several teams led the transaction activity, including the Philadelphia Flyers, who placed six players on waivers, and the Vegas Golden Knights, who waived five. Other organizations involved in the cuts included the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Tampa Bay Lightning.

Tuesday, September 22, 2026: 15 players cleared the NHL waiver process.
Wednesday, September 23, 2026: 34 players were placed on league waivers.

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Season Trajectory

These transactions are a mandatory step in the annual cycle of setting opening-night rosters for all 32 clubs. The movement of these players defines the final composition of league depth charts as teams prepare to finalize their lineups for the upcoming regular season.

The waiver process determines which players remain with their primary clubs and which are assigned to minor league affiliates. Fans should monitor league reports to see if specific players on their favorite teams are claimed by other franchises.

The takeaway

The mass placement of players on waivers highlights the aggressive roster shuffling required to meet league mandates before opening night. Fans and fantasy managers should track these moves closely to understand depth chart changes for the season ahead.