San Jose Sharks Waive Bracken Kearns, Brad Stuart Injured
By Eric He
the San Jose Sharks have placed Kearns on waivers in order to make room for both Logan Couture and Raffi Torres, who are returning from injuries. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Bracken Kearns’ dream to play in the NHL may be short-lived.
According to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports, the San Jose Sharks have placed Kearns on waivers in order to make room for both Logan Couture and Raffi Torres, who are returning from injuries.
In 22 games with the Sharks this season, Kearns has one goal and three assists. He also spent 27 games with the Worcester Sharks of the AHL, where he racked up five goals and 13 assists. If he clears waivers, Kearns will likely be assigned back to Worcester.
This is an example of the harsh reality of life in the pros. Kearns has played well on the fourth line, but obviously the Sharks need Couture and Torres more than Kearns.
The 32-year-old journeyman has spent the majority of his career in the minors, playing 593 games. He played five games for the Florida Panthers in 2011-2012, but did not record any points. He finally lit the lamp this year, getting his first extended playing time in the NHL.
But unfortunately, he’ll have to earn his way back to the NHL again, if he clears waivers. Hopefully another team claims him, because he has worked hard enough to be on an NHL roster.
Stuart Injured
Dec 21, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks defenseman Brad Stuart (7) works the puck around Dallas Stars right wing Valeri Nichushkin (43) at SAP Center at San Jose. Sharks won 3-2 in the overtime shootout. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
The Sharks will be without defenseman Brad Stuart for at least a week. Coach Todd McLellan told the media today that Stuart will not travel with the team on the upcoming three-game road trip on the East coast to kick off the post-Olympic schedule.
Stuart, who has appeared in 51 games this season, has recorded three goals and six assists. McLellan said that the team will likely call someone up from Worcester to replace Stuart.
“Obviously, we don’t want to move ahead just with six defensemen, so we’ll review what’s happening in Worcester, talk about it as a group and make some decisions from there,” he told CSN Bay Area’s Kevin Kurz.