Three NHL players placed on waivers for April 16

On the final day of the 2025-26 regular season, a few players have hit the wire.

The Pittsburgh Penguins placed defenseman Mathew Dumba on unconditional waivers on Thursday, while the Florida Panthers put forwards Noah Gregor and Nolan Foote on the wire as well.

Dumba was acquired by the Penguins from the Dallas Stars in a trade last July. Many thought a new home would help revitalize the right-handed rearguard’s career, but it didn’t. He played just 11 games with the Penguins, scoring a goal and two assists for three points, before being placed on waivers in December. The 31-year-old cleared and was assigned to the Pens’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. He has since appeared in 27 games, scoring six goals and 14 assists for 20 points. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (44-17-7-2) sit second in the AHL’s Atlantic Division.

If Dumba clears waivers on Friday, he will become an unrestricted free agent.

Gregor, who signed with the Panthers out of training camp, has appeared in 37 games with the big club this year, scoring four goals and five assists for nine points. He’s also played in 25 games for the Panthers’ primary affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, potting 11 goals and six assists for 17 points. Foote has played just 12 games for Florida, scoring a goal back on March 24 against the Seattle Kraken. In 54 games with the Checkers, he has notched 14 goals and 18 assists for 32 points.

If they clear on Friday, Gregor and Foote can join the Checkers as they get set to play in the Calder Cup Playoffs. The Checkers (43-22-5-0) are the third seed in the Atlantic, setting up a matchup with the Penguins. Charlotte made it all the way to the finals last season, losing to the Abbotsford Canucks.

The two players placed on waivers on Wednesday – Detroit Red Wings forward Dominik Shine and Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Steven Santini – both cleared, and are eligible to be assigned to their respective AHL clubs.