A shortened preseason in the NHL has led to earlier waiver wire activity ahead of the 2026-27 season, with teams already navigating roster moves sooner than usual. Despite the flurry of transactions, most organizations still have time before facing major preseason cut decisions. The accelerated timeline means clubs must balance immediate needs with long-term planning as they prepare for the campaign’s opening. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how these early moves shape teams’ final rosters.

The NHL is one week away from the start of the 2026-27 campaign. With the preseason so short, the waiver wire has seen more action earlier than in recent years. Still, with all due respect to the players on the waiver wire, many teams remain a few preseason games away from making truly difficult decisions. […]