NHL Player News

Burroughs was waived by the Stars on Thursday, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.

Burroughs is with the Stars on a one-year, two-way contract, and he'll begin the regular season with AHL Texas if he clears waivers. He made 18 regular-season appearances in the AHL with Ontario last year and recorded a goal and six assists, and he'll presumably spend most of the upcoming campaign in the minors once again.

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.

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.

Schmidt was designated for waivers Thursday.

Schmidt has logged 98 regular-season games in the minors, producing just three goals and six assists. As such, even if he does see NHL action this year, he doesn't offer enough offensive upside to be worth picking up in fantasy contests.

Lambos was waived by Minnesota on Thursday.

Lambos had eight goals, 19 points and 48 PIM in 70 regular-season appearances in AHL Iowa. He made his NHL debut Dec. 18, 2025 in which he had a plus-1 rating, one shot and one block. Lambos hasn't appeared in an NHL game since that date, but it wouldn't be surprising if he gets another chance with Minnesota at some point during the 2026-27 campaign.

Kiersted was put on waivers by Minnesota on Thursday.

Kiersted had four goals, 12 points and 38 PIM in 49 regular-season appearances with AHL Iowa in 2025-26. He also has two goals and eight points in 45 career NHL regular-season games. The 28-year-old is likely to spend the majority of the upcoming campaign in the minors, but he might be summoned for a stint or two during the season, should the Wild require an injury replacement on the blue line.

Seeley was placed on waivers by Carolina on Thursday, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.

After making his NHL debut during an appearance with the Islanders in the regular-season finale last year, Seeley signed a one-year, two-way contract with Carolina in late July. While he could join the NHL club if the Hurricanes deal with injuries at some point, the 24-year-old is slated to begin the 2026-27 regular season in the minors if he clears waivers.

Donovan was absent from practice Thursday due to an undisclosed injury, Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports.

Donovan was likely a long shot to make the roster even prior to getting hurt, though other injuries on the blue line could have opened the door for him. At this point, the 22-year-old defenseman will likely be sent down to AHL Belleville once given the all-clear to resume playing.

Lohrei (undisclosed) resumed skating at Thursday's practice, per Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald.

Head coach Marco Sturm stated that Lohrei was to underdog additional testing Wednesday for his undisclosed injury, and it seems that the 25-year-old defenseman passed them. Across 73 regular-season games in the 2025-26 campaign, he posted seven goals, 26 points, 72 shots on net and 93 blocked shots. Barring he stays healthy prior to puck drop on opening night, he could be in line for a heightened role during Charlie McAvoy's six-game suspension.