Forward Scott Gomez and defenseman Wade Redden officially cleared waivers on Thursday afternoon.
NHL waivers: Scott Gomez, Wade Redden clear on Thursday
Scott Gomez and Wade Redden cleared waivers on Thursday afternoon, while Keith Aucoin did not.
Kevin Hoffman-US PRESSWIRE
It is expected that both players will be extended accelerated compliance buyouts, which will be the first use of this new clause in the collective bargaining agreement.
Both players were originally informed by their clubs to remain at home because they were going to sit-out the entire year. They would receive their pro-rated salaries for this season (as will every NHL player because of the lockout), but they would not participate in practices or games, as neither team wanted the players to sustain an injury.
Under the new rule, a team is not allowed to extend a compliance buyout to an injured player. With the New York Rangers desperately wanting to rid themselves of Redden's contract, as was the case with the Montreal Canadiens with Gomez, neither team wanted to risk the chance of injury.
The NHL and NHL Players’ Association then stepped in and created the accelerated compliance buyout.
Once Gomez and Redden are informed of their buyouts, the players will become unrestricted free agents and can play with another team this season.
Their former clubs will also have to pay their full salary and carry their cap-hit for this season. After this year, the cap-hit comes off the books.
In addition to Gomez and Redden, every player who was placed on waivers on Wednesday cleared, with the exception of forward Keith Aucoin who was claimed by the New York Islanders from the Toronto Maple Leafs.
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