Jets and Wild to Place Defensemen on Waivers
Winnipeg and Minnesota designate Jack St. Ivany and Daemon Hunt for waiver eligibility on October 24, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Hockey
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On October 24, 2026, the Winnipeg Jets and Minnesota Wild placed defensemen Jack St. Ivany and Daemon Hunt on waivers. Teams across the NHL now have the opportunity to claim either player from the waiver wire.
Why it matters
The waiver process allows teams to adjust their rosters and manage salary cap obligations by making players available to other organizations. This move represents a strategic shift for both franchises as they reconfigure their defensive depth for the season.
Jack St. Ivany holds an $850,000 cap hit after appearing in 53 games with 9 assists, while Daemon Hunt is under a $900,000 contract and has logged 32 regular-season and 5 playoff games.
The players
Jack St. Ivany
He is a 27-year-old defenseman who was drafted by Philadelphia and previously played for Pittsburgh before moving to Winnipeg.
Daemon Hunt
He is a 24-year-old defenseman who was originally drafted by Minnesota and previously spent time with the Columbus organization.
Winnipeg Jets
They are a professional hockey team based in Winnipeg that recently acquired St. Ivany in a trade for David Gustafsson.
Minnesota Wild
They are a professional hockey team based in Minnesota that holds the rights to Daemon Hunt.
The details
The waiver designation allows NHL clubs to reassign players or clear roster space while providing rivals a chance to acquire them. St. Ivany, who joined Winnipeg in June, is approaching unrestricted free agency at the end of this season.
Timeline
2018: Philadelphia drafted Jack St. Ivany.
2020: Minnesota drafted Daemon Hunt.
2022: Jack St. Ivany signed with Pittsburgh.
June 2026: Winnipeg acquired Jack St. Ivany.
October 24, 2026: Players were placed on waivers.
Season Trajectory
These waiver placements illustrate the active roster management required under the NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement waiver rules. This decision marks a departure from the teams' previous defensive configurations, potentially altering their depth as the season progresses.
Fantasy managers should note that these defensemen will likely see changes in their usage or potential team affiliation following the waiver period. Teams claiming these players must incorporate their respective $850,000 and $900,000 salary hits into their existing cap space.
The takeaway
Waivers serve as a critical mechanism for teams to maintain roster flexibility and manage financial obligations throughout the long hockey season. Fans and analysts should monitor the waiver wire to see which organizations opt to bolster their defensive depth using these available players.
Further reading
For more information on league-wide player movements, visit the Hockey section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by House Of Hockey.
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