Red Wings Place Goalie MacDonald on Waivers

The Detroit Red Wings placed goalie Joey MacDonald on waivers on Sunday as they prepare to bring him off the injured reserve list. MacDonald has missed the entirety of the 2013 season with a back injury.

MacDonald outplayed Ty Conklin late in the 2011-12 season while Jimmy Howard was injured, earning the backup spot in Detroit. Heading into a 2012-13 season where he had a one-way contract, it looked like MacDonald would remain Howard’s backup until the Red Wings signed Jonas Gustavsson to fill that role.

Like MacDonald, Gustavsson has spent most of the season on IR, but the emergence of rookie netminder Petr Mrazek has provided the team yet another option. With MacDonald desiring to remain in the NHL, the Red Wings waived him to see if another team will take a chance on him.

Should he go unclaimed, MacDonald is expected to be sent to the Grand Rapids Griffins, at least for a reconditioning stint. His one-way deal means he’ll be paid the same amount and have the same salary cap hit in Grand Rapids as he would if he were in the NHL.