8 NHL players just hit the waiver wire ahead of the 2026 trade deadline

With the 2026 NHL trade deadline just about here, several players have hit the waiver wire. 

According to Puckpedia, Evgenii Dadonov, Luke Glendening, Maxim Tsyplakov, Garrett Wilson, Curtis Douglas, Alexander Holtz, and Cole Reinhardt have all been placed on waivers.

In addition, St. Louis Blues forward Mathieu Joseph has been placed on unconditional waivers for the purpose of contract termination.

MORE: Blues cutting ties with another Stanley Cup champion before trade deadline

Here's what you need to know about the latest players to hit the waiver wire.

Players to hit waiver wire before 2026 NHL trade deadline

Evgenii Dadonov

Dadonov has had a rough season with the New Jersey Devils. After posting 20 goals and 40 points in 80 games last season with the Dallas Stars, he has zero points and a minus-3 rating in 17 games this season with New Jersey. 

Luke Glendening

Glendening earned a contract with the Devils through a successful professional tryout (PTO) ahead of the 2025-26 season. In 52 games this season, he has zero goals and four assists. 

Maxim Tsyplakov

Tsyplakov was acquired by the Devils from the New York Islanders back in January. In nine games with New Jersey since the trade, he has zero points and a minus-3 rating. This is after he had one goal and one assist in 27 games for the Islanders before the move. 

Garrett Wilson

Wilson’s waiver placement comes with good news, as Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that the Philadelphia Flyers signed the 34-year-old forward to an NHL contract. In 51 games this season with the Flyers’ AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, he has posted four goals,16 points, and 99 penalty minutes. 

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Curtis Douglas

Douglas was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Lightning earlier this season from the Utah Mammoth. In 29 games this season with the Bolts, the 6-foot-9 forward has zero goals, two assists, and 92 penalty minutes.

Alexander Holtz

Holtz has appeared in 28 games this season with the Vegas Golden Knights, where he has three goals, nine points, and a minus-1 rating. 

Cole Reinhardt

Reinhardt is another Golden Knights forward on waivers. The 6-foot-1 winger has played in a career-high 44 NHL games this season with Vegas, where he has three goals and seven points. 

Mathieu Joseph

As for Joseph, he recently cleared regular waivers and has been playing with the Blues’ AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds, since. If he clears unconditional waivers, he will become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) and get the chance to find a new home. 

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