Sheldon Souray and Martin Gerber clear waivers
The Edmonton Oilers’ Sheldon Souray and Martin Gerber have cleared waivers and are now free to join the club’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Barons. Souray and Gerber were placed on waivers on Wednesday and teams had until noon on Friday
to claim them.
The Oilers signed Gerber in the hopes of boosting their depth at the goaltending position. Gerber spent last season playing Europe and signed a one year deal with the Oilers, which will see him make $200,000 at the AHL level. It is likely that Gerber will
spend the majority of the season in the AHL. The only way he would be considered for NHL duty is if the team sustained an injury between the pipes.
Meanwhile, the Oilers were hoping that another franchise would claim Souray off waivers. The two are currently involved in an ongoing feud, which began when Souray asked for a trade out of Edmonton. But the 34-year-old defender carries with him a contract
of $10.8 million over the next two years. The size of the contract, coupled with Souray’s history of injury trouble, made it near impossible for the Oilers to find a suitor. By passing the veteran through waivers, the club was hoping a desperate team would
claim the defenceman, taking his contract off their books.
The original thought was that Edmonton would pass Souray through re-entry waivers, in which case, if he was claimed, the Oilers would pay half his salary, while the other club would pay the rest. However, recent reports have indicated that the club is likely
to play Souray in the AHL for now, and wait to see if any team has a defenceman that sustains a serious injury and is in need of the veteran’s services.
Last season with Edmonton, Souray notched 4 goals and 9 assists for 13 points in 37 games.
Tags: