San Jose Sharks forward/defenseman clears waivers
SAN JOSE – Jacob MacDonald cleared waivers Wednesday and was expected to assigned to be the San Jose Sharks’ AHL affiliate, the Barracuda.
MacDonald, who has six goals and one assist in 22 games for the Sharks this season, mostly as a forward, was placed on waivers by the team on Tuesday.
The move opens up a spot on the Sharks’ 23-man roster that could go to forward Givani Smith, who has been on injured reserve since late December. Smith has been out with a lower-body ailment but has been practicing regularly with the Sharks since the team returned from its bye week on Feb. 10.
MacDonald has battled injuries for the majority of the season, should be a help to the Barracuda, which are attempting to rejoin the playoff picture in the AHL’s Pacific Division.
Entering its home game against Coachella Valley on Wednesday, the Barracuda, at 17-23-8 with 41 points, were nine points out of a playoff spot with 24 games remaining. Over five-plus AHL seasons, MacDonald has 189 points in 271 games.
MacDonald, who can play both forward and defense, turns 31 next Monday.
Smith, who turns 26 next Tuesday, has three points and 33 penalty minutes in 26 games this season.