Use of waivers in salary cap era Waivers (NHL)

salaries of players playing nhl team count against salary cap, while salaries of players playing team s minor league affiliates not. nhl teams have waived players high salaries, thereby freeing salary cap space other signings. in 2010, wade redden of new york rangers, sheldon souray of edmonton oilers , jeff finger of toronto maple leafs assigned team s ahl affiliate without other team putting in claim.

in more interesting case, following 2011 nhl pre-season, forward sean avery of new york rangers waived ahl. avery had been claimed off re-entry waivers dallas stars, cap hit had been split between rangers , stars, when avery demoted ahl again, cap hit came off both teams books. result, stars, had been using avery s re-entry waiver loss reach salary floor 2011–12 season, had trade winger eric nystrom reach salary floor.

under 2005 cba, if nhl player being sent nhl affiliate team in ahl , put through waivers , clears successfully, salary not count against respective nhl team s salary cap. player still paid full salary. there exception rule; if player has contract took effect after player s 35th birthday, player s salary still count against nhl cap. under 2013 cba, team derives specific savings demoting player on one-way contract ahl. savings calculated league minimum plus $375,000.

if player claimed on waivers, claiming team responsible rest of contract.

re-entry waivers had existed under 2005 cba, under if player cleared waivers , sent down minors, , recalled during season, , salary more $105,000 in ahl (essentially, player not on entry-level or two-way contract), subject re-entry waivers if team claimed him responsible half salary remainder of contract. re-entry waivers eliminated in 2013 cba.