Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jared Cowen cleared waivers Saturday, as expected.
Acquired from the Ottawa Senators in the Dion Phaneuf trade, Cowen is unlikely to suit up in a single game in the blue and white.
Hearing TOR has told Cowen it will try its best to trade him by deadline
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 27, 2016
On Friday, Sportsnet's Chris Johnston wrote about Cowen's unusual contract:
... a player who clears waivers can be assigned to the American Hockey League for a period of 30 days, which makes Cowen an even greater asset to a team interested in him acquiring for the purpose of gaining a $650,000 salary cap credit next season by buying out his contract.
Cowen carries a cap hit of $3.1 million this season. He's scheduled to become a restricted free agent after next season, but as Johnston writes, it's more likely he's bought out by the club that trades for him by Monday's deadline - if that happens.
Only 25, Cowen has four assists in 37 games this season. He's been rehabbing a hip injury in the hopes of suiting up for Toronto.
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