Richard Clune set to be placed on waivers

The Rich Clune Show has been cancelled, seemingly before the pilot could finish its broadcast. According to reports, the 28-year-old bottom-six winger will be placed on waivers after just two games and seventeen minutes of ice time.

Clune was a -1 over the two games and took just a single shot. He wasn’t overly noticeable on the ice, although the team had a slight edge in attempted shots with his presence.

The Toronto native, who was brought in from the Marlies to bring a physical presence, didn’t deliver in the way that many expected him to. He didn’t drop the gloves, he only blocked a single shot (on paper), and one of his six hits proved to be especially risky and detrimental to the team.

Clune received a five-minute major penalty for that hit, and while the Leafs didn’t give up a goal as a result of it, it hampered their ability to respond to Pittsburgh’s ice-breaker a few minutes before. 

If Clune clears waivers, he’ll be assigned to the Toronto Marlies, with whom he has two goals and three assists in eight games. Clune spent most of his time flanking a line with Frederik Gauthier and Nikita Soshnikov. 

The move also gives the Leafs some breathing room as Scott Harrington nears his return and Frank Corrado rejoins the team; a decision eventually needs to be made on defence, but for now, waiving Clune buys time.