As NHL teams finalize their opening night rosters for the 2025-26 season, the waiver wire has been a source of player movement. On Friday, October 3, 2025, several players who were placed on waivers were claimed by new teams, while others remain available.
David Kampf, a 30-year-old forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs, was placed on waivers. Kampf is in the third season of a four-year contract with a cap hit of $2.4 million. In 536 NHL games, he has 48 goals and 95 assists for 143 points. He had 5 goals and 8 assists in 59 games last season.
Ultimately, Kampf went unclaimed. Scott Laughton's week-to-week injury gives Kampf an opportunity to prove his worth.
Defenseman Daemon Hunt, who had been placed on waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets, was claimed by the Minnesota Wild. Hunt, 23, was originally drafted by the Wild in the third round of the 2022 NHL Draft. He was traded to Columbus as part of the David Jiricek trade in November. In 48 AHL games last season with Cleveland, Hunt had two goals and 12 assists. Hunt has appeared in 13 NHL games with Minnesota, recording one assist. The Wild also recalled defenseman Matt Kiersted from the Iowa Wild of the AHL.
The Colorado Avalanche claimed defenseman Ilya Solovyov from the Calgary Flames. Solovyov, 25, has spent the last four seasons in the Flames organization. In 59 AHL games with the Calgary Wranglers last season, he had six goals and 22 assists. Solovyov has played 15 NHL games, recording four assists. The Avalanche needed another left-handed shot on the blue line.
Forward Cole Schwindt was claimed off waivers by the Florida Panthers from the Vegas Golden Knights. Schwindt, a former Panthers draft pick, was part of the Matthew Tkachuk trade with Calgary. Last season with Vegas, Schwindt played in 42 games and had eight points. He has appeared in 49 NHL games. The Panthers have a need for forward depth due to injuries to Aleksander Barkov and Anton Lundell. The Panthers selected Schwindt in the third round (81st overall) of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
With opening night rosters due to be finalized by Monday, October 6th, these transactions reflect teams' efforts to solidify their lineups and address areas of need.
