NHL Player News

Thrun was placed on waivers by the Jets on Sunday, per Ken Wiebe of The Winnipeg Free Press.

Thrun signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Jets in the offseason, but he'll begin his tenure in the organization in the minors. The 25-year-old blueliner had a short stint with the Maple Leafs last season, but he primarily played with AHL Toronto, posting 23 points in 55 regular-season outings. He'll likely be on the call-up radar for the Jets if the team has any injuries on the blue line, but he'll likely suit up with AHL Manitoba in the interim.

Barron was claimed off waivers by the Blues, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

After the Predators waived Barron on Saturday, the Blues took advantage of the opportunity of acquiring him as a depth blueliner for the organization. The 24-year-old blueliner primarily played in the NHL during the 2025-26 campaign, where he compiled nine assists, 31 shots on net, 37 hits and 60 blocked shots across 52 regular-season outings. He'll head to the active roster before potentially being optioned to AHL Springfield.

Jokiharju was placed on waivers by the Bruins on Sunday, Conor Ryan of The Boston Globe.

Jokiharju was on the fringe of making Boston's Opening Night roster after the team signed right-shot defensemen Will Borgen and Connor Clifton in the offseason. The 27-year-old Jokiharju played in half of Boston's regular-season games during 2025-26, where he posted two goals, 15 points, 40 shots on net and 37 blocked shots. If he goes unclaimed over the next 24 hours, he will likely start the season playing big minutes for AHL Providence. However, he could easily return to Boston if the team runs into injury trouble within the defensive core.

Blankenburg signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract with Toronto on Sunday, Chris Johnston of The Athletic reports.

Blankenburg attended training camp with the Maple Leafs on a professional tryout agreement. He impressed enough to earn a standard contract for the 2026-27 season. Blankenburg registered 16 assists, 24 points, 72 shots on net, 59 blocked shots and 55 hits in 61 regular-season appearances with Nashville and Colorado in 2025-26.

Valimaki was placed on waivers by the Hurricanes on Sunday.

Valimaki almost left the United States to play in the SHL, but the Canes were able to retain him on a one-year deal. The 27-year-old blueliner was acquired by Carolina from Utah midway through last season, and he ended up playing in 24 regular-season games with AHL Chicago. Valimaki will likely start the year with the Wolves, where he'll look to improve on an impressive 2025-26 campaign of 20 points across 24 regular-season appearances.

Middleton was placed on waivers by the Avalanche on Sunday.

Middleton faced an uphill battle to make the Avs' roster out of training camp, with the team returning the majority of its defensive core from last season. The 28-year-old blueliner had a solid NHL showing in limited action during the 2025-26 campaign, where he posted an assist, four PIM and six hits across three regular-season outings. He's set to open the upcoming campaign with AHL Colorado, marking his seventh season with the Avs' affiliate.

Aamodt was placed on waivers Sunday for the purpose of being assigned to AHL Colorado.

During the 2025-26 campaign with AHL Colorado, Aamodt notched four goals and 24 points in 65 regular-season games. He also had one goal and two assists in 17 outings during the 2026 Calder Cup Playoffs.

Belpedio was moved to the waiver wire Sunday for the purpose of being assigned to AHL Hershey.

Belpedio recorded nine goals, 34 points and 67 PIM in 68 regular-season games for Washington's top minor-league affiliate in 2025-26. Assuming he clears waivers, he could spend most, if not all, of the 2026-27 campaign with AHL Hershey.

Graves (lower body) is out indefinitely and was placed on injured reserve Sunday.

Graves will miss the beginning of the 2026-27 campaign, and it's unclear when he will be ready to return. He contributed one goal, 21 shots on net, 38 blocked shots and 23 hits in 22 regular-season appearances for Pittsburgh in 2025-26.

Stanley signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Islanders on Sunday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Stanley registered nine goals, 21 points, 74 shots on net, 69 blocked shots, 96 hits and 99 PIM in 59 games for Winnipeg during the 2025-26 regular season before being dealt to the Sabres ahead of their playoff run. As a member of the Islanders in the 2026-27 campaign, he will likely play a depth role while adding some physicality to the lineup.