24-year-old defenceman placed on unconditional waivers for contract termination

For the third time in less than two weeks, a player in an NHL organization has been placed on waivers to have his contract terminated.

According to Chris Johnston of TSN, the San Jose Sharks have placed German defenceman Leon Gawanke on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract.


Gawanke, 24, was originally drafted by the Winnipeg Jets, spending four years with their organization, playing in the AHL and eventually grew frustrated with not getting an opportunity in the NHL, so he decided to sign a four-year deal with Adler Mannheim in the German DEL.


The Berlin native never suited up for Adler Mannheim as two months after signing with them, he inked a one-year, two-way contract with the San Jose Sharks.

Much like his situation in Winnipeg, Gawanke spent his entire time with San Jose in the AHL where he put up 27 points (eight goals, 19 assists), 37 penalty minutes and was a minus-seven.

If Gawanke clears unconditional waivers on Friday, which is expected, he'll become an unrestricted free agent and could possibly return back to Germany for the remainder of the season.