iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
An NHL roster move can change who counts toward a club’s roster limit, who is eligible to play, and how the club’s payroll is treated under the salary cap. The 23-player figure applies to the playing roster—not every player the club controls—and injured reserve, waivers, recalls and long-term injured reserve each solve different problems.
How many players can an NHL team have on its roster?
During the regular season, from opening day through the trade deadline, an NHL club may have up to 23 players on its playing roster. It must have at least 20: 18 skaters and two goaltenders. Players on injured reserve do not count toward the 23-player maximum, according to the NHL’s Hockey Operations Guidelines, accessed October 4, 2026.
“Roster” can refer to different groups. The collective bargaining agreement distinguishes an Active Roster from a Playing Roster, and neither should be confused with the lineup dressed for a particular game. The NHL also maintains a separate Reserve List, which the guidelines say may contain up to 80 players. That list includes categories such as professional players, signed junior players and unsigned draft choices. So the 23-player limit does not mean a club can control only 23 players.
What does injured reserve (IR) do?
IR is a roster-status mechanism for a player who is injured, disabled or ill and unable to perform. Under the NHL guidelines, a club may place a player on IR after the initial physical examination for that season. The condition must make the player unable to play for at least seven days, and the player cannot play in an NHL game for at least seven days after placement. The club may use the resulting roster space for another player.
#1 Best Overall
- PRODUCT: This is an officially licensed NHL product, ensuring quality. Enjoy a genuine NHL board game experience with your family.
- QUALITY: MasterPieces, an American Puzzle & Game Company, stands behind this product. We ensure satisfaction with our high-quality board games.
IR does not set a return date or mean the injury is season-ending. The guidelines also allow a player on IR to travel with the team, attend meetings and meals, and take part in practice. The club’s medical staff determines the player’s status under the club’s medical standards.
Does a player have to clear waivers to go to the AHL?
Sometimes. Before an NHL club can loan a player to its minor-league affiliate, that player may have to pass through waivers: a league-wide period during which other clubs can claim him. Whether a player is exempt depends on age and professional experience. The Carolina Hurricanes’ Transaction Primer, accessed October 4, 2026, explains the principle but does not provide the full exemption table; a specific player’s eligibility must be checked against the applicable CBA and transaction rules.
Rank #2
- Includes 55 unique cards and five different mini-games
- Symbols represent your favorite NHL teams and the game of hockey
- NHL League edition brings a hockey spin to a family favorite game
- NHL League edition comes with a variety of unique symbols for you to identify and match from card to card
If another club claims the player
A successful claim transfers the player to the claiming club. If multiple clubs submit claims, waiver priority determines which one receives him. The Hurricanes primer summarizes priority as beginning with the previous season’s worst record, then switching to current records on November 1. Specific cases can depend on governing procedures, so that summary is not a substitute for checking the rules for an individual transaction.
If the player goes unclaimed
If no club claims him, he clears waivers and his NHL club may loan him to the AHL. The Hurricanes primer calls its explanation of the post-clearance window simplified: ordinarily, the club’s ability to loan the player without waivers again expires after 10 NHL games or 30 days on the Active Roster since the last clearance. Emergency-recall situations use different calculations; the primer says the assignment right lasts until the player has played 10 games on emergency recall. Check the current CBA for edge cases.
Rank #3
- NHL Opoly Jr Board Game
- Officially Licensed NHL Product
- Includes 4 playing pieces, 48 cards, 1 die, 1 gameboard, 44 ice skate markers, 31 team sticker sheet
- Perfect for 2-4 players, ages 6 and up
What is the difference between a regular recall and an emergency recall?
A recall brings a player from another roster, usually the AHL, to the NHL club. An emergency recall is tied to a shortage caused by injury or illness, rather than being a general way to add a player. The Hurricanes primer says an emergency may apply when the club has fewer than 12 available forwards, six defensemen or two goaltenders.
The same primer summarizes post-trade-deadline limits as four regular recalls during the 40-day period through the end of the season, while emergency recalls are not capped in the same way. These are the primer’s summaries of transaction rules; use the CBA and season-specific terms to assess a particular move.
Rank #4
- The game board measures 13 inches x 21.375 inches and comes with 24 checkers pieces, 8 king pieces, 1 sticker sheet, and an instruction sheet.
- This classic game of checkers is a ton of fun for children and adults ages 6 and up.
- If you're a fan of the League-NHL , then this officially licensed MasterPieces NHL League-NHL Checkers Board Game is for you!
- Crown yourself the checkers champion of the universe with this exciting board game!
- MasterPieces stands behind its products and guarantees your satisfaction.
For 2026-27, the NHL’s July 21, 2025 CBA summary says a player assigned to the AHL must appear in a minor-league game before the NHL club recalls him, ending the paper transactions previously used for some assignments. The new agreement begins in 2026-27; the prior CBA remains in place through 2025-26. Because the effective season matters, older explanations of recall practices should not automatically be applied to current transactions.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsHow does long-term injured reserve (LTIR) affect the salary cap?
LTIR is a conditional adjustment to a club’s upper spending limit when an injured or ill player is expected to be unavailable for an extended period. The Hurricanes primer gives the usual threshold as at least 10 games and 24 days unavailable, and says the player must also be placed on IR.
Best Value
- OFFICIALLY LICENSED NHL MASCOTS: Features recognizable team mascots from across the NHL, making this a standout option among hockey toys for kids ages 4-8.
- MEMORY AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT: Designed to support memory, concentration, and visual recognition through simple matching gameplay.
- YOUTH-FRIENDLY CARD DESIGN: Includes 18 pairs of sturdy, easy-to-handle cards sized for young players and repeated use.
- SCREEN-FREE FAMILY ACTIVITY: A fun option for family game nights, classrooms, or group play that encourages interaction and learning.
- EDUCATIONAL SPORTS PLAY: A strong addition to hockey toys for kids ages 4-8, blending early learning with team-based sports themes.
LTIR is not a simple credit equal to the injured player’s full cap hit. The amount of room available depends on the club’s payroll and when it enters LTIR. The primer notes that the resulting limit is tied to payroll at that time and that LTIR room does not accrue like ordinary unused cap space. The calculation is governed by the CBA, so a headline cap hit alone is not enough to determine how much the club can spend.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is the roster emergency exception?
A separate roster emergency exception addresses a narrow case: a club with very little payroll room falls below the minimum lineup threshold of 18 skaters and two goaltenders because of an injury, illness, disability or suspension. The NHL/NHLPA memorandum dated June 27, 2025 describes conditions including that the club played its previous game below that threshold. It also limits the replacement player’s averaged amount to the minimum salary plus $375,000 and specifies salary-cap accounting for the exception.
This is not a general way to exceed the cap or avoid ordinary roster rules. The memorandum excerpt available for these details is not enough to apply the exception to a particular transaction; the full applicable CBA language and the club’s circumstances control.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Which roster mechanism applies to a proposed move?
The same player movement can have different consequences depending on status, waiver eligibility, roster need, payroll and season. This table shows what each mechanism is principally for; it does not replace the CBA rules for a specific transaction.
Quick Recap
| Mechanism | What it changes | Key condition or limit |
|---|---|---|
| IR | Removes an eligible injured player from the 23-player playing-roster count and allows a replacement. | At least seven days unable to play; no NHL game for at least seven days after placement, per NHL Hockey Operations Guidelines. |
| Waivers | Offers other clubs a chance to claim a player before an assignment such as a loan to the AHL. | Applies only to players who are not waiver-exempt; age and experience matter. |
| Regular recall | Moves a player, usually from the AHL, to the NHL club. | Post-deadline recall limits are summarized by the Hurricanes primer as four during the 40-day period through season end. |
| Emergency recall | Fills a roster shortage caused by injury or illness. | The Hurricanes primer describes positional availability thresholds; post-deadline emergency recalls are not numerically capped in the same way as regular recalls. |
| LTIR | May adjust the club’s upper spending limit while a player is unavailable. | The Hurricanes primer states a usual threshold of 10 games and 24 days and requires IR placement; available room depends on payroll and timing. |
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
