What Being on Waivers Means in Hockey: Explained Simply

If you’re a fan of hockey or a newcomer to the sport, you’ve probably heard the term “waivers” thrown around. But what does it really mean? Being on waivers can be a confusing and complex topic, especially if you’re not familiar with the intricacies of the NHL and its rules. In this article, we’ll break it down for you, simply and clearly, so you can better understand what waivers mean in hockey.

Understanding the concept of waivers is an essential part of comprehending the NHL’s roster management system. In this article, we’ll explain why teams put players on waivers, how the waiver claim process works, and what happens when a player clears or gets claimed off waivers.

So, whether you’re a dedicated fan trying to get a better understanding of the sport or just looking to expand your hockey knowledge, keep reading to learn all about what being on waivers means in hockey.

Understanding the Waiver System in Hockey

As a fan of hockey, it’s essential to understand the waiver system and its implications. When a team puts a player on waivers, it means that the team is offering that player to every other team in the league. This process is regulated by the NHL, and there are specific rules and regulations that all teams must follow.

When a player is placed on waivers, any other team in the league has the opportunity to claim that player. If multiple teams place a claim on the same player, the team with the worst record at that point in the season is given the first opportunity to claim that player. In some cases, a team may not want to risk losing a player and will instead choose to keep them on the roster.

It’s also important to note that placing a player on waivers is not a decision that teams take lightly. There are many factors that go into this decision, including the player’s performance, salary, and overall team strategy. Sometimes, teams may place a player on waivers simply to create roster space or to send a message to the rest of the team.

What are Waivers?

1. Definition: In hockey, waivers refer to a process by which a team can place a player on the waiver wire, making them available to all other teams in the league for a certain period of time.

2. Triggering Event: A player can be placed on waivers for a variety of reasons, such as if they are not performing well, if the team needs to clear up cap space, or if they need to make room on the roster for a new player.

3. Waiver Period: When a player is placed on waivers, all other teams have a certain amount of time to claim them. The waiver period lasts for 24 hours, during which any team can submit a claim on the player.

4. Priority Order: The order in which teams are allowed to make a claim is determined by their current standings in the league. The team with the worst record gets first priority, followed by the second-worst team, and so on.

5. Cleared Waivers: If a player goes unclaimed during the waiver period, they are said to have “cleared waivers.” Once a player clears waivers, the team that placed them on waivers can assign them to their minor league affiliate or keep them on their NHL roster.

6. Claimed Players: If a player is claimed off of waivers, the team that made the claim must take on the player’s existing contract and add them to their NHL roster. The team that placed the player on waivers can no longer recall them without first passing them through waivers again.

The waiver system can be a complex process, and understanding the rules and regulations surrounding it is crucial for all NHL teams. The process of waivers can have a significant impact on a team’s roster, salary cap, and overall success, making it an important aspect of the sport to keep up with.

Why Do Teams Put Players on Waivers?

Putting a player on waivers is a strategic move that teams use to manage their roster and salary cap. Teams may put a player on waivers for several reasons, such as:

Salary cap relief: A team might need to free up salary cap space to sign new players or make a trade. By placing a player on waivers, they can potentially shed the player’s salary if they get claimed by another team.

Performance issues: A player may be struggling on the ice, and a team may need to send them down to the minors to work on their game or to give other players a chance to play.

Contract issues: A team may want to terminate a player’s contract early, and by putting them on waivers, they can potentially get another team to claim the player and take on their remaining contract.

Roster management: A team may need to make room on their roster for a new player and may need to clear a spot by placing another player on waivers.

Developmental purposes: A young player may need more ice time to develop their skills, and a team may want to send them down to the minors to get more playing time.

One of the main reasons why teams put players on waivers is salary cap considerations. Every team in the NHL has a salary cap, which is the maximum amount they can spend on player salaries in a given season. If a team is close to or over the salary cap, they may need to move players with high salaries to the minors to free up cap space.

The salary cap can also affect a team’s decision to claim a player off waivers. If a team claims a player, they are responsible for paying that player’s remaining salary for the season. If the player has a high salary, a team may not want to take on that financial burden and may choose not to claim them.

Additionally, a team may put a player on waivers to try and trade them. By exposing a player to waivers, other teams have the opportunity to claim them and take on their contract. This can sometimes lead to trade negotiations between the claiming team and the team that put the player on waivers.

It’s important to note that putting a player on waivers doesn’t necessarily mean the team wants to get rid of them. Sometimes, a team may need to make roster moves or adjust their salary cap situation, and putting a player on waivers is just part of that process.

Overall, salary cap considerations play a significant role in why teams put players on waivers and how other teams approach the waiver wire.

Clearing a Roster Spot

Another reason why teams put players on waivers is to clear a roster spot for another player. NHL teams have a maximum of 23 players allowed on their active roster, and often, teams will have more players than that. By placing a player on waivers, the team can remove that player from the active roster, opening up a spot for another player.

Clearing a roster spot can also be a way for a team to make room for a player who is returning from an injury or suspension. By putting a player on waivers, the team can assign them to their AHL affiliate or keep them on their NHL roster as a healthy scratch without taking up a valuable roster spot.

It’s worth noting that a player who is put on waivers for the purpose of clearing a roster spot may not be claimed by another team. If the player clears waivers, they will be assigned to their team’s AHL affiliate or remain on their NHL roster as a healthy scratch.

In some cases, a team may choose to trade or waive a player in order to make room for a new addition to their roster, such as a free agent signing or a trade acquisition.

Player Performance and Injuries

Performance: Sometimes, a player might not be performing up to the expectations of the team or coach. In such cases, the team may choose to put the player on waivers to send a message that they need to improve their performance.

Injuries: If a player gets injured and needs to be placed on long-term injured reserve (LTIR), the team may need to clear a roster spot to make room for a replacement player. Putting the injured player on waivers allows the team to free up a roster spot without losing the player.

Roster Limits: NHL teams can only have a maximum of 23 players on their active roster, and if they have too many players, they need to make a roster move. Putting a player on waivers is a way to free up a spot and get down to the 23-player limit.

How Does the Waiver Claim Process Work?

When a player is placed on waivers, any team can claim them within a 24-hour period. If more than one team claims the player, the team with the lowest current ranking in the NHL gets priority.

If a player goes unclaimed, they can be assigned to the American Hockey League (AHL) by the team that placed them on waivers. However, if the player is subject to re-entry waivers, they must clear waivers again before being called back up to the NHL.

When a team claims a player, they assume the player’s contract, including their salary and any remaining years. This can be problematic if the player has a high salary or a long-term contract. Teams may be hesitant to claim a player for this reason.

Once a team claims a player, they must immediately make room on their roster. If a team has a full roster, they must either trade or release a player to make room for the new addition.

If a player goes unclaimed and is assigned to the AHL, their NHL team may still be responsible for part of their salary, depending on the terms of the player’s contract. This is known as a “buried” contract.

The waiver claim process can be a complicated and strategic decision for NHL teams. It requires careful consideration of a player’s performance, contract, and the team’s overall needs and capabilities.

Priority Order

When a player is placed on waivers, other NHL teams have a chance to claim that player. The priority order for waiver claims is based on the team’s standings from the previous season. The team with the worst record has the highest priority and the team with the best record has the lowest priority.

However, the priority order is not fixed and can change throughout the season based on the current standings. For example, if a team that had a high priority order at the beginning of the season starts winning, their priority order will decrease as they move up in the standings.

If multiple teams make a claim on the same player, the team with the highest priority order will be awarded the player. If a team claims a player off waivers, they must pay the player’s full salary and take on their remaining contract.

It’s also important to note that if a team claims a player off waivers, they must keep the player on their NHL roster for a certain period of time before they can assign them to the minors or put them on waivers again. This period of time is dependent on the number of NHL games the player has played and the number of days that have passed since the player was claimed.

Conditional Waivers

Conditional waivers are a type of waiver that is used when a team wants to send a player down to the minor leagues, but that player is not eligible for regular waivers.

Conditional waivers are used when a player has a no-trade clause in his contract. This clause gives the player the right to refuse any trade that the team might propose.

Conditional waivers are also used when a player has been claimed on waivers in the past 30 days. If a team wants to send that player down to the minor leagues, they must first put him on conditional waivers.

During the conditional waiver process, all 31 teams in the NHL have the opportunity to claim the player. However, the team that the player is assigned to is based on a priority order similar to the regular waiver process.

If no team claims the player during the conditional waiver process, the player can be sent down to the minor leagues without being subject to regular waivers.

Can a Player Refuse to Go on Waivers?

Yes, under certain conditions, a player can refuse to go on waivers. The most common situation is when a player has a no-trade clause in their contract. A no-trade clause gives the player the power to reject any attempt to trade or move them to another team, including being put on waivers. If a player has a no-trade clause, they must agree to be placed on waivers.

Another scenario where a player may refuse to go on waivers is if they have been placed on waivers multiple times in a season. If a player is put on waivers and is not claimed by any team, they can be sent to the team’s minor league affiliate. However, if the team wants to recall the player and put them on waivers again, the player can refuse to be placed on waivers and remain with their current team.

It is also worth noting that if a player refuses to go on waivers, it may affect their future with the team. Refusing to go on waivers could be seen as a violation of their contract and may lead to disciplinary action or even termination of their contract.

In some cases, a team may choose to waive a player with the understanding that they will not be claimed by any team. This is known as unconditional waivers. If a player is placed on unconditional waivers and is not claimed by any team, they become a free agent and can sign with any team that offers them a contract.

In conclusion, while a player may have the ability to refuse to go on waivers under certain circumstances, it is important to remember that waivers are an essential part of the NHL’s roster management system, and a player’s refusal to go on waivers could have significant consequences for their future with their team.

No Movement Clauses

No Movement Clauses (NMCs) are stipulations in a player’s contract that prohibit the team from trading or sending the player to the minors without the player’s permission. Players with NMCs have the right to refuse waivers, which means they cannot be placed on waivers by the team without their consent.

If a player with an NMC is placed on waivers and claimed by another team, the player has the right to veto the claim and remain with their current team. However, if the player clears waivers, they can be assigned to the minors or traded without their consent.

It’s important to note that not all contracts contain NMCs. Players without NMCs can be placed on waivers and claimed by another team without their permission, and they cannot veto the claim.

Veteran Exemptions

When it comes to players with veteran status, there are certain exemptions that can affect whether they go on waivers or not. If a player meets the criteria for a veteran exemption, they can be exempt from waivers, meaning they can be sent to the minors without being claimed by another team.

In order to be eligible for a veteran exemption, a player must meet certain criteria, such as having played in a certain number of NHL games or having a certain number of years of professional experience.

The purpose of veteran exemptions is to give teams more flexibility in managing their rosters and developing young players without losing experienced veterans to waiver claims.

It’s important for teams to be aware of the rules regarding veteran exemptions and to carefully consider the impact of sending a veteran player to the minors, as it could have implications for team morale and future waiver eligibility.

European Assignment Clause

The European Assignment Clause is a provision included in some player contracts that allows teams to send players to play in European leagues without the player having to clear waivers. This clause is typically used for players who are struggling in the NHL and could benefit from more playing time and development overseas.

To trigger the European Assignment Clause, the team must first place the player on waivers. If no team claims the player, the team can then assign the player to a team in Europe without the player’s consent. If the player refuses to report to Europe, they can be suspended without pay.

Players with the European Assignment Clause in their contract are still paid their NHL salary while playing in Europe, but their contract does not count against the team’s salary cap. This allows teams to create more cap space and potentially make additional roster moves.

The European Assignment Clause is most commonly used for young players who are still developing their skills and need more ice time to improve. However, it can also be used for veteran players who are struggling to find a place in the NHL and may benefit from a change of scenery.

What Happens if a Player Clears Waivers?

When a player clears waivers, it means that no team has claimed him, and he remains with his current team.

Clearing waivers is not necessarily a bad thing for the player, as he may be given more opportunities to play and improve his skills with his current team.

If a player is assigned to the minors, he must clear waivers before he can be sent down. If he clears waivers, he can be sent to the minors without being claimed by another team.

If a player on a two-way contract clears waivers, he can be assigned to the minors without any risk of being claimed by another team.

Reassignment to Minor League Affiliate

After a player clears waivers, the team has the option to send the player to their minor league affiliate. This reassignment can occur regardless of whether the player has a no-movement clause or veteran exemption. The player must report to the minor league team, but they will still receive their NHL salary.

If the player refuses to report to the minor league affiliate, the team can suspend the player without pay. However, if the player is suspended, their salary will not count towards the team’s salary cap.

If the player is sent down to the minors and then recalled later in the season, they will have to go through waivers again before returning to the NHL. This is known as “recalls waivers.”

If the player is not claimed on waivers during the season, they can be sent to the minors during the offseason without having to clear waivers again.

What Happens if a Player Gets Claimed?

Claiming team takes on player’s contract: If a player is claimed off waivers, the claiming team takes on the player’s contract, including the remaining salary and years left on the deal.

Waiver priority determines claiming team: The team with the highest waiver priority is awarded the claim. If multiple teams submit a claim, the team with the highest priority is awarded the player.

Player has no choice: Once a player is claimed, they have no choice but to join the new team. They cannot refuse the claim.

Teams have limited time to claim: A player on waivers can only be claimed within a 24-hour period. After that time has elapsed, the player either clears waivers and can be assigned to the minor leagues, or the team can pull them back off waivers.

Player can be traded after claim: A player can be traded immediately after being claimed off waivers, as long as they have not already used their no-trade clause.

Claiming Team Assumes Player’s Contract

When a player is claimed off waivers, the claiming team assumes the player’s contract, including all terms and conditions. This means that the new team must pay the player’s remaining salary, adhere to any no-trade or no-movement clauses, and follow any other terms outlined in the contract. The claiming team also gains control over the player’s rights for the duration of the contract.

It’s important to note that if a player clears waivers and becomes a free agent, any team can sign him to a new contract, and the terms of his old contract are no longer applicable.

The claiming team must also make room on its roster for the new player. If a team claims a player but does not have room on its roster, it must make a corresponding move, such as sending a player down to the minors or releasing a player from the roster.

Player Reports to New Team

Once a player is claimed off waivers, the new team assumes the player’s contract and the player is now a member of the new team.

Typically, the claiming team will arrange for the player to report to them immediately or as soon as possible.

The player is then required to report to the new team and join their roster.

If the player refuses to report to the new team, they may face consequences such as fines or suspension.

However, if the player has a no-trade clause or a modified no-trade clause in their contract, they may have the ability to veto the claim and remain with their current team.

Frequently Asked Questions