March 5: Perhaps surprisingly, Guhle has cleared waivers and has been assigned to the minor leagues. The 23-year-old will remain in the Ducks organization and have a chance to get his game back on track following his recent injury.
March 4: The Anaheim Ducks have placed a surprising name on waivers today, as Brendan Guhle is available to the rest of the league according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. The 23-year-old defenseman must be healthy enough to return from his recent stint on long-term injured reserve, meaning to place him on the taxi squad or send him to the minor leagues, he’ll need to clear waivers.
Guhle certainly isn’t a star, but it should raise a few eyebrows in front offices around the league to see him on waivers today. The 51st overall pick in 2015, he has 59 games under his belt at the NHL level and has recorded 14 points. An all-around option that has shown flashes of real NHL potential—including playing three games in the 2016-17 season as a 19-year-old for the Buffalo Sabres—he also happens to come locked up at an $800K cap hit through next season.
Just two years ago, Guhle was a big part of the return for Brandon Montour, when the latter was shipped from Anaheim to Buffalo. It seems now that the Ducks feel comfortable risking him, given the other young options in the system.
For a rebuilding team or even a contender dealing with injuries, claiming Guhle would be more than reasonable though. Jarred Tinordi and Mark Friedman have both been claimed recently and neither one is a clear upgrade (at least in certain areas) over the young Duck.
If Guhle does clear, he’ll be able to get on the ice again with the San Diego Gulls and continue to work his way back from injury. In five games on a rehab stint, he recorded zero points.
vegasloveforthebills
He’s a skater who gets claimed, right?
Bucky76
If this guy doesn’t get claimed something is wrong. Boston. Rangers. Pens. Or even Detroit…he can play..
Getzlaf's Bald Spot
BM hoping he clears so he can get some seasoning in the AHL. Tough to not have any camp and jump in after a few conditioning games.
Joe Carters walkoff
Id be shocked if he isnt claimed
bigdaddyt
Prepare yourself
pawtucket
If he gets claimed – the team that gets him faces the same ‘conditioning’ issues as they can’t send him to the taxi squad without waivers. Basically your extra skater that is out of shape.
Donovan Voigt
Nashville better be calling to claim him over the trash we got atm
MoneyBallJustWorks
wondering how many are confusing with his brother
ironcity341
Pens need to trade for him
LarryJ4
Lol can see the Sabres claiming him back!!!
pat lawrence
Canucks need him..come on jimbo..
backhandinbaptist
I’m shocked he wasn’t claimed. This kid has real upside. He’s by no means a “slam dunk” but the potential is there.