For many hockey players, being placed on waivers can be a nerve-wracking experience. It’s a process that can happen to any player, regardless of their skill level or experience, and can have a significant impact on their career. But what exactly does it mean to be placed on waivers? And what happens to a player when they are waived?
When a player is placed on waivers, it means that their team is giving the other teams in the league the opportunity to claim them. This process is used when a team wants to send a player down to the minor leagues but needs to clear space on their roster first. If no team claims the player within a certain amount of time, they can be sent down to the minor leagues.
Being placed on waivers can be a stressful experience for a player, as they don’t know what their future holds. Will they be claimed by another team and get another chance in the NHL? Or will they be sent down to the minor leagues, potentially ending their career in the NHL?
If you want to learn more about what happens to a hockey player when they are placed on waivers, including why players are placed on waivers and what the future holds for players who are not claimed, keep reading our in-depth analysis below.
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What are Waivers?
Waivers are an essential part of the National Hockey League (NHL) and serve as a mechanism to maintain competitive balance across the league. In simple terms, waivers are a process where teams can offer their players to other teams in the league.
When a team places a player on waivers, they give other teams in the league the opportunity to claim that player for themselves. If no other team claims the player during the waiver period, the team that placed the player on waivers can send the player to their minor league affiliate or keep them on their active roster.
Why do teams place players on waivers?
Teams place players on waivers for several reasons. The most common reason is when a team has too many players on their active roster, and they need to clear a spot to add a new player. Teams can also place players on waivers when they want to send them down to their minor league affiliate but don’t want to risk losing them for nothing.
What happens when a team claims a player off waivers?
When a team claims a player off waivers, they take on the player’s existing contract and are responsible for paying their salary. The claiming team also needs to keep the player on their active roster for a specified period, usually 30 days, before they can send the player down to their minor league affiliate or waive them themselves.
- Claiming teams are awarded the player in the order of their position in the standings, with the team lowest in the standings being given the first opportunity to claim the player.
- Once a team claims a player, the team that placed the player on waivers can no longer recall the player without going through the waiver process again.
- If multiple teams place a claim on the same player, the team lowest in the standings is awarded the player.
What happens if a player clears waivers?
If a player clears waivers, it means that no team has claimed them, and the player remains with their current team. The team can then choose to send the player down to their minor league affiliate or keep them on their active roster.
As you can see, waivers play a critical role in maintaining competitive balance in the NHL. It’s a complex process that teams need to navigate carefully, and it can have significant implications for a team’s roster and salary cap. Now that you understand waivers, let’s dive deeper into how they work and the impact they can have on a team’s season.
Who Can Be Placed on Waivers?
Not all players are eligible to be placed on waivers. Typically, players who have played a certain number of games or are of a certain age are exempt from waivers. However, each league has its own rules on who can and cannot be placed on waivers. For example, in the NHL, players who are on entry-level contracts or have played fewer than 80 NHL games are exempt from waivers.
For those who are eligible, being placed on waivers can be a nerve-wracking experience. They are essentially being made available to every other team in the league, and if they are claimed, they will be uprooted and sent to a new team. On the other hand, if they clear waivers, they may be sent down to the minor leagues, where they will make less money and have less visibility to NHL teams.
Entry-Level Contracts
Players who are on their first NHL contract, known as entry-level contracts, are usually exempt from waivers. This is to prevent teams from sending their young, developing players down to the minor leagues where they may not receive the same level of competition as in the NHL.
Veteran Players
Veteran players who have played a certain number of games or are of a certain age may also be exempt from waivers. This is to prevent teams from sending their older players down to the minor leagues, where they may not have the same level of physical ability as younger players.
Two-Way Contracts
Players who are on two-way contracts, meaning they can be paid different amounts depending on whether they are in the NHL or the minor leagues, are often the ones who are placed on waivers. This is because teams can save money by sending these players down to the minors, but they also run the risk of losing them if they are claimed by another team.
- Waivers can be a stressful experience for eligible players.
- Entry-level contracts typically exempt players from waivers.
- Two-way contracts often result in players being placed on waivers to save money.
Knowing who can and cannot be placed on waivers is important for both players and teams. For players, it can affect their career path and livelihood. For teams, it can affect their salary cap situation and roster decisions. In the next section, we’ll explore what happens when a player is placed on waivers and how teams can use waivers to their advantage.
Why are Players Placed on Waivers?
Waivers can be a confusing aspect of professional sports. In the NHL, players are often placed on waivers for a variety of reasons. The primary reason is to allow the player to be sent down to a lower league without being claimed by another team. However, there are several other reasons why a player might be placed on waivers.
One reason a player might be placed on waivers is if they are not performing well and the team wants to send a message. Another reason might be to free up salary cap space, as placing a player on waivers can help a team get under the salary cap. Additionally, a player might be placed on waivers as part of a larger trade or roster move.
Unsatisfactory Performance
If a player is not performing up to the team’s expectations, they might be placed on waivers to send a message. This can be a wake-up call for the player to improve their performance or risk being sent down to a lower league or traded to another team.
Salary Cap Issues
In the NHL, teams must stay under the salary cap or face penalties. Placing a player on waivers can be a way to free up salary cap space, allowing a team to sign or trade for new players without exceeding the cap. This is especially important for teams that are near or over the salary cap limit.
Trades and Roster Moves
Placing a player on waivers can also be part of a larger trade or roster move. For example, a team might place a player on waivers to make room on their roster for a newly acquired player. Additionally, a player might be placed on waivers as part of a larger trade, where the other team has requested waivers to complete the transaction.
What Happens to a Player When They are Waived?
When a player is placed on waivers, it means that their team is giving other teams in the league the opportunity to claim them. The player is essentially being made available to other teams, and if a team puts in a claim, they can acquire the player. However, just because a player is placed on waivers doesn’t mean that they will be claimed by another team.
So, what happens to a player when they are waived and not claimed? The player is then sent to the team’s minor league affiliate (if they have one) or released from their contract. If a player is sent to the minors, they can be called back up to the NHL at any time as long as they are still under contract with the team.
Waiver Priority Order
Not all teams have an equal chance of claiming a waived player. There is a waiver priority order that determines which team has the first chance to claim a player. The priority order is based on the current standings, with the worst team having the highest priority.
Types of Waivers
- Unconditional Waivers: These waivers are used when a team wants to terminate a player’s contract. If the player is not claimed, they become a free agent and can sign with any team.
- Conditional Waivers: These waivers are used when a team wants to send a player to the minors, but the player is not exempt from waivers. If the player is claimed, the team can either pull them back or let them go.
Waiver Exemptions
- Entry-Level Exemption: Players who are in their first or second year of their contract and have played less than 80 NHL games are exempt from waivers.
- Injury Exemption: If a player is injured and cannot play for at least 10 games or 24 days, they can be placed on injured reserve and are exempt from waivers.
- Age Exemption: Players who are over the age of 35 and have played in at least 1,000 NHL games are exempt from waivers.
Now that you know what happens to a player when they are waived, as well as waiver priority order, types of waivers, and waiver exemptions, you can better understand the intricacies of the NHL waiver system.
Can a Waived Player be Claimed by Another Team?
When a player is placed on waivers, they are made available to all teams in the league. This means that any team can claim the player and take over their current contract. However, there are some rules that govern the waiver process, and not every player can be claimed by another team.
Firstly, only players on an NHL team’s active roster can be placed on waivers. This means that players on the injured reserve or in the minors cannot be waived. Secondly, only certain types of contracts are eligible for waivers. Entry-level contracts and contracts with no-movement clauses cannot be waived, but most other contracts can be.
How does the waiver claiming process work?
When a player is waived, all other teams have 24 hours to submit a claim for that player. The team with the lowest point total in the league at that time is given priority over any other team that submits a claim. If more than one team submits a claim, the player is awarded to the team with the lowest point total.
Once a team claims a waived player, they are responsible for taking over the player’s current contract. This means that the team must pay the player’s salary and cap hit for the remainder of the contract, unless they can find a way to trade or release the player.
What happens if a waived player is not claimed?
If a player goes unclaimed during the 24-hour waiver period, they are free to be assigned to the AHL or ECHL, depending on the player’s contract. If the player is on a one-way contract, meaning they are paid the same amount regardless of whether they are in the NHL or AHL, they will continue to count against the NHL team’s salary cap while in the minors. If the player is on a two-way contract, their salary will be reduced while in the minors.
In summary, when a player is waived, they are made available to all teams in the league. If a team claims the player, they are responsible for taking over the player’s current contract. If no team claims the player, they can be assigned to the minors or released.
What is the Future of a Player Who is Not Claimed?
When a player is waived and not claimed by any other team, their future in the league becomes uncertain. At this point, the player becomes a free agent and can sign with any team that shows interest in them.
However, being an unclaimed free agent can be tough. The player may have to wait for a team to need their skills or have an injury that requires a replacement player. During this time, the player may have to rely on savings or find a job outside of basketball to make ends meet.
Option 1: Sign with a G League Team
If the player is looking to continue their basketball career and stay in the United States, they may consider signing with a team in the NBA G League. The G League is the NBA’s minor league system, and players can develop their skills while earning a salary. This can provide an opportunity for the player to improve their game and potentially catch the eye of an NBA team.
Option 2: Play Overseas
Another option for unclaimed free agents is to play overseas. Many international basketball leagues offer competitive salaries and can provide an opportunity for the player to experience a new culture while continuing to play basketball at a high level. However, playing overseas can be challenging due to the language barrier and cultural differences.
Option 3: Retire from Professional Basketball
If the player is unable to find a new team or does not want to pursue other opportunities in basketball, they may choose to retire from professional basketball. This can be a difficult decision, but it may be the best choice for the player’s future outside of basketball.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens when a hockey player is placed on waivers?
When a hockey player is placed on waivers, they become available to other teams in the league. Other teams have the option to claim the player and take on their contract, or the player can go unclaimed and remain with their current team. If a player goes unclaimed, they may be assigned to the minors or traded to another team.
Can a player refuse to report to a team that claims them off waivers?
Yes, a player can refuse to report to a team that claims them off waivers, but this can lead to consequences such as being suspended without pay or having their contract terminated.
How long do teams have to decide whether or not to claim a player on waivers?
Teams have 24 hours to decide whether or not to claim a player on waivers. If multiple teams put in a claim, the team with the lowest winning percentage at the time the player was placed on waivers gets the player.
Can a player on a two-way contract be placed on waivers?
Yes, a player on a two-way contract can be placed on waivers. However, if they are not claimed, they can be sent down to the minors without having to clear waivers again.
Can a team pull a player off waivers once they have been placed there?
Yes, a team can pull a player off waivers once they have been placed there, but doing so makes the player ineligible to be placed on waivers again for 30 days.
Can a player be traded after being claimed off waivers?
Yes, a player can be traded after being claimed off waivers. However, they must first clear waivers again if the team they are being traded to wants to send them down to the minors.