NHL Player News

Pederson was placed on waivers by the Kings on Thursday, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.

Pederson signed a two-year, two-way agreement with the Kings in early July, and he'll begin the 2026-27 campaign with AHL Ontario if he clears waivers. Across 63 minor-league appearances with Lehigh Valley last year, he recorded 23 goals, 25 assists and 44 PIM.

Fantilli agreed to terms on a six-year, $82.5 million contract with Columbus on Thursday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Fantilli has reached the 50-point threshold in each of the previous two seasons, including setting new personal bests last year in assists (35), points (59) and power-play points (13). The 21-year-old center will have to get up to speed quickly, but he should be a near lock for a top-six role Opening Night against the Sabres on Oct. 1.

Pinelli was placed on waivers by Los Angeles on Thursday, according to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports.

Pinelli had 14 goals, 35 points and 50 PIM in 65 regular-season appearances with AHL Ontario in 2025-26. The 23-year-old is expected to start the upcoming campaign in the minors, but he might make his NHL debut later in the season.

Hicketts was waived by the Kings on Thursday, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.

Hicketts hasn't made a regular-season appearance in the NHL since the 2019-20 campaign, when he made six appearances with the Red Wings. Assuming he clears waivers, he'll begin the 2026-27 season in the minors, where he'll presumably spend most, or all, of the year.

Stienburg was put on waivers by Vancouver on Thursday, per Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports.

Stienburg had two goals, three points and 11 PIM in eight regular-season appearances with AHL Colorado in 2025-26. The 25-year-old is likely to spend most, if not all, of the upcoming campaign in the minors.

Tverberg was waived by the Maple Leafs on Thursday, James Mirtle of The Athletic reports.

Tverberg signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Maple Leafs in early July and will head to AHL Toronto for the start of the regular season if he clears waivers. Across 63 regular-season appearances with the Marlies last year, he logged 15 goals, 21 points and 36 PIM.

Merilainen was put on waivers by Ottawa on Thursday, per Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports.

Merilainen had an 8-10-1 record, 3.51 GAA and .860 save percentage in 20 regular-season appearances with the Senators in 2025-26. Samuel Ersson signed a two-year, $4.4 million contract with the Senators over the summer, and he's expected to begin the season as the No. 2 goaltender behind Linus Ullmark. If either of Ersson or Ullmark suffers an injury during the campaign, then Merilainen might be summoned.

Rybinski was put on waivers by Toronto on Thursday, per James Mirtle of The Athletic.

Rybinski inked a two-year, two-way contract with the Maple Leafs over the summer. He had 10 goals and 30 points in 59 regular-season appearances with AHL Hershey in 2025-26. The 25-year-old hasn't made his NHL debut.

Rifai was placed on waivers by the Maple Leafs on Thursday, James Mirtle of The Athletic reports.

Rifai has spent most of the past few seasons in the minors, and he'll be left off the Maple Leafs' Opening Night roster once again prior to the 2026-27 campaign. He made 20 regular-season appearances for AHL Toronto last year and recorded no goals, five assists, 30 PIM and a plus-8 rating.

Myers was put on waivers by Toronto on Thursday, James Mirtle of The Athletic reports.

Myers had two assists and 22 PIM in 39 regular-season outings with the Maple Leafs in 2025-26. Although he got a fair amount of work at the top level last year, that's because Toronto dealt with significant injuries to its blue line. If the Maple Leafs have better luck on the injury front this season, then Myers might spend the vast majority of the campaign in the minors.