Summary
The Florida Panthers have placed forwards Nolan Foote and Noah Gregor on waivers. This move was reported on Thursday and is a strategic step to manage the team’s roster as the season winds down. By placing these players on waivers, the Panthers intend to send them to their minor league affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers. This will allow both players to participate in the upcoming AHL playoffs, known as the Calder Cup Playoffs, once they officially clear the waiver process.
Main Impact
The primary goal of this move is to strengthen the Charlotte Checkers for their postseason run. Both Foote and Gregor have spent significant time in the NHL recently due to a series of injuries to Florida’s main roster. Now that the NHL regular season is ending, the Panthers want their depth players to get more playing time in a high-stakes environment. Moving them down requires waivers because both athletes have played more than 10 NHL games since the last time they were sent to the minors. If no other NHL team claims them within 24 hours, they will report to Charlotte to help the team compete for a championship.
Key Details
What Happened
On April 16, 2026, the Panthers officially listed Nolan Foote and Noah Gregor on the waiver wire. This is a standard procedure for players who are no longer exempt from waivers based on their age or professional experience. Both players were brought into the NHL lineup to fill gaps left by injured stars. While they provided necessary depth, the team now feels they are better utilized in the American Hockey League (AHL) for the playoffs. This transition ensures they stay active and continue to develop while providing the Checkers with veteran experience.
Important Numbers and Facts
Nolan Foote is a 25-year-old forward who stands 6 feet 3 inches tall. This season, he played 54 games for Charlotte, scoring 14 goals and adding 18 assists. When injuries hit the Panthers, he was called up and played 12 games in the NHL, which is a personal record for him. During those games, he scored one goal and recorded 27 hits, showing his physical style of play.
Noah Gregor, who is 27 years old, joined the team after a successful tryout in training camp. He played 37 games for the Panthers this year, scoring four goals and five assists. Despite his speed, he struggled with a -10 rating and saw his playing time drop to less than 10 minutes per game. In the AHL this year, he has 17 points in 25 games.
Background and Context
In professional hockey, waivers are a tool used to ensure players have a fair chance to play in the NHL. If a team wants to send a veteran player to the minor leagues, they must first offer that player to every other team in the league. This prevents teams from "hiding" talented players in the minors. The Panthers had to use these players more than expected this year because of injuries to key stars like Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk. Now that the roster is stabilizing, the team is returning to its original plan of having these players lead the minor league squad.
Public or Industry Reaction
Hockey analysts note that this move is common for teams preparing for a deep playoff run in both the NHL and AHL. However, there is some discussion regarding Nolan Foote’s future. Because he is 25 and has not played a large number of NHL games, he is set to become a "Group VI" unrestricted free agent this summer. This means Florida cannot simply keep his rights by making a basic offer; they must sign him to a new contract before July 1, or he can choose to sign with any team. Noah Gregor is also expected to become a free agent, marking the fourth year in a row he will be looking for a new contract.
What This Means Going Forward
The immediate next step is waiting to see if another NHL team claims either player. If they clear waivers, they will join Charlotte immediately. For the Panthers, this clears up roster spots and salary cap space as they prepare for the NHL playoffs. For the players, the future is less certain. Foote needs to prove he can be a consistent NHL contributor to earn a new contract. Gregor will likely be looking for a fresh start elsewhere, as his offensive numbers have declined over the past few seasons. The performance of both players in the AHL playoffs could determine what kind of offers they receive this summer.
Final Take
This roster move shows how important depth is for a professional hockey organization. While Foote and Gregor may not be stars at the NHL level, they played a vital role in keeping the Panthers competitive during a period of heavy injuries. Sending them to Charlotte is a reward that allows them to compete for a trophy while giving the Panthers flexibility for the games that matter most. It is a practical business decision that balances the needs of the big league club with the development of the minor league affiliate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Panthers have to put these players on waivers?
NHL rules require players to go through waivers if they have played a certain number of games or have been pro for several years. Both players played over 10 NHL games recently, which triggered this requirement.
What happens if another team claims them?
If another team claims Foote or Gregor, that team takes over their contract, and the player must join the new team's NHL roster immediately. The Panthers would lose the player for nothing in return.
Will these players return to the Panthers this season?
It is unlikely unless there are more injuries. Their main focus now will be helping the Charlotte Checkers win the Calder Cup in the AHL playoffs.
