What Is a Waiver in Hockey: Understanding the Rules and Regulations

If you are a hockey fan, you may have heard of the term “waiver.” It is a common term in hockey, but only some understand it. In this article, we will dive deep into what waivers in hockey are, their purpose, and how they work.

Hockey is a team sport that requires a lot of skill and coordination. It is also a sport that has specific rules and regulations that players, coaches, and fans need to know. One of these rules pertains to waivers. Understanding what waivers are and how they work is essential for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of the game.

What Are Waivers in Hockey?

Waivers are a contractual process used in the National Hockey League (NHL) that allows teams to temporarily release players from their rosters. Once a player is placed on the waiver, other teams can claim that player. The team that claims the player then assumes the player’s contract and roster spot.

Purpose of Waivers

The purpose of waivers in hockey is to create a fair playing field among teams. Allowing other teams to claim a player prevents one team from having too many talented players while others struggle to find good players. It also allows a player to play on another team if their current team is not using them to their full potential.

Players Subject to Waivers

Not all players are subject to waivers. Players exempt from waivers include those who are under the age of 18, those who have less than three years of professional experience, and those who have played less than 10 NHL games in the current season or 30 NHL games in the previous season.

How Waivers Work

When a team wants to place a player on the waiver, they must submit a waiver request to the NHL. The player is then placed on waiver for 24 hours. During this time, other teams have the opportunity to claim the player. If more than one team claims the player, the team with the worst record gets the first opportunity to claim the player. If no team claims the player, they remain on their original roster.

Waiver Claim

If a team claims a player on the waiver, they assume the player’s contract and roster spot. The player must report to their new team within 48 hours, or they will be placed on waiver again. If a player is placed on waivers and not claimed, they can be assigned to a minor league team or remain on their original roster.

Unsuccessful Waiver Claims

If a team claims a player on waiver but later decides they do not want the player, they can place the player back on the waiver. If the player clears waivers, they can be assigned to a minor league team or remain on their original roster.

Conditional Waivers

There are certain situations where a player can be placed on conditional waivers. These waivers allow a team to place a player on waivers, but if the player is not claimed, they can be assigned to a minor league team without being placed back on waivers.

Re-entry Waivers

Re-entry waivers are another type of waiver used in the NHL. These waivers are used when a player who has cleared waivers is called back up to the NHL. The player must go through re-entry waivers, which allows other teams to claim the player. If the player is claimed, the claiming team assumes half of the player’s remaining contract, and the original team is responsible for the other half.

Conclusion

In conclusion, waivers are essential to the NHL’s rules and regulations. They allow for a fair playing field among teams and allow players to play on other teams if they are not being used to their full potential. It is essential to understand how waivers work to have a deeper understanding of hockey.

FAQs

Can a team claim a player on waiver if they don’t have enough cap space?

No, a team must have enough cap space to claim a player on the waiver.

Can a team claim a player on waiver if they don’t have a roster spot available?

No, a team must have a roster spot to claim a player on the waiver.

How many times can a player be placed on waivers in a season?

There is no limit to the number of times a player can be placed on waivers in a season.

Can a team withdraw a player from waivers?

Yes, a team can withdraw a player from waivers before the 24 hours are up.

Can a player refuse to report to their new team after being claimed on waivers?

No, a player must report to their new team within 48 hours of being claimed on waivers.