NHL Player News

Tolopilo was placed on waivers by the Canucks on Sunday, per Thomas Drance of The Athletic.

Following Vancouver's claim of Leevi Merilainen off waivers earlier in the week, Tolopilo was bumped down the depth chart. The 26-year-old backstop split time between the majors and minors last season. With Vancouver, he struggled behind a lackluster defensive core, posting a 6-11-2 record, a 3.61 GAA and an .881 save percentage across 21 regular-season appearances. If he clears waivers over the next 24 hours, he's expected to serve as the organization's No. 3 netminder and the lead option for AHL Abbotsford.

Kahkonen was moved to waivers Sunday with the intention of assigning him to AHL Laval.

Kahkonen posted a 21-9-7 record, a 2.73 GAA and an .895 save percentage in 38 appearances for Montreal's top minor-league affiliate during the 2025-26 regular season.

Berard was shifted to waivers Sunday for the purpose of being sent to AHL Laval.

Berard signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Canadiens in July. In the 2025-26 regular season, he didn't earn a point in 13 NHL outings with the Rangers.

O'Brien (lower body) was placed on injured reserve on Sunday.

O'Brien was held out of Seattle's lineup for their preseason contest Thursday. The 19-year-old center was exceptional with OHL Brantford in 2025-26, where he compiled 28 goals and 93 points across 53 regular-season games. Once O'Brien is ready to go, the Kraken will have to decide whether they want to try him out with their current roster, or push off his NHL debut by potentially optioning him to AHL Coachella Valley.

Samoskevich (upper body) was placed on injured reserve Sunday.

Samoskevich is day-to-day, but he will miss the beginning of the 2026-27 campaign. Once he's healthy, he will likely occupy a top-six role and see time on the power play.

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.

Poirier was claimed off waivers by New Jersey on Sunday, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

With Dallas releasing Poirier on Saturday, New Jersey took notice and scooped him up to add to their organization depth. However, the team also opted to make room for him on the active roster by placing David Rittich on waivers. Because of this, the 24-year-old Poirier has a chance to open the season on New Jersey's Opening Night roster if Rittich is claimed off waivers by a different organization and if they favor the young netminder over Nico Daws. Poirier posted strong numbers with AHL Texas in 2025-26, where he compiled a 27-19-8 record, a 2.61 GAA and a .912 save percentage across 52 regular-season outings.

Copley was assigned to AHL Cleveland on Sunday.

Copley successfully cleared waivers Thursday before staying with the team for a little longer. However, he is poised to begin the 2026-27 campaign in the minors.

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.