It's hard to believe, but we have hit the point in the 2025-26 season where the NHL roster freeze is in effect. That happened on Saturday morning at midnight when the freeze went into effect.
The freeze is in effect until Dec. 28. During the eight days, there can be no trades, loans, or waivers, with an allotment only allowed for emergency recalls. Players can also be placed on injured reserve or long-term injured reserve. Shortly before the freeze, two Eastern Conference teams made moves to improve their rosters ahead of the freeze.
Canadiens and Blue Jackets make pre-roster freeze trades on Friday night
If there is anything that we have learned to date this season, it's going to be a dogfight all season to get one of the eight Eastern Conference playoff spots.