Kiefer Sherwood clears waivers

After being put on waivers on Sunday, Anaheim Ducks forward Keifer Sherwood has gone unclaimed and will report to the AHL San Diego Gulls whenever either league resumes play. The AHL announced this morning that the indefinite suspension caused by COVID-19 would at least extend until May. The ECHL has already cancelled the rest of their season, including playoffs, lacking the infrastructure to pick up the season at a later date. The AHL may be forced to follow, if no positive changes come in the nest few weeks.

The NHL announced this morning that they have initial plans to begin training around day 45 of the CDC recommended 60-day voluntary isolation. As of 5 p.m. ET, teams were subject to a roster freeze until the season starts again, or otherwise determined by the league. Should the regular season resume, the four-recall rule will resume, though some teams may be banking on previously injured players potentially returning should the season resume.

A number of teams have been making paper transactions to save money during the season pause, though Sherwood was the only player who was required to pass through waivers in order to do so. The transaction will allow the Ducks to pay him based on his $70,000 minors salary, instead of his $832,500 NHL base salary. The NHL has also promised players their final three paychecks that would have taken them through the end of the regular season.

The 24-year-old will be a restricted free agent this off-season. In 60 NHL games with the Ducks, Sherwood has totaled 13 points (6 goals, 7 assists) and 14 penalty minutes.