Sharks put veteran defenseman McLaren on waivers

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The San Jose Sharks put defenseman Kyle McLaren on waivers Tuesday, possibly ending the oft-injured veteran's 4½-year tenure with the club.

McLaren, a 12-year NHL veteran, had three goals and eight assists while battling constant knee injuries last season, undergoing surgery in January. He appeared in two preseason games with the Sharks, who didn't even allow him to skate in intrasquad scrimmages while attempting to move him.

"Kyle has been a tremendous professional through this," Sharks general manager Doug Wilson said. "We're trying to do what's right for him, so we'll see what the next few days brings."

McLaren's role with the club already was diminished before training camp when San Jose acquired veteran defensemen Rob Blake, Dan Boyle and Brad Lukowich. The Sharks also signed young defensemen Christian Ehrhoff, Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Doug Murray to contract extensions in recent months.

If McLaren isn't claimed by another team, he could be assigned to the Sharks' top affiliate in Worcester, where his $2.5 million salary wouldn't count against the cap.

San Jose also assigned defenseman Mike Moore and right wing Mike Morris to Worcester on Tuesday while finalizing their roster for Thursday's opening game against Anaheim.