Just to clear up, I had stated earlier that Anaheim Defenseman Mathieu Schneider would be subject to re-entry waivers after clearing waivers this morning at 9AM Pacific time. Actually, Schneider isn’t subject to re-entry waivers unless Anaheim decides to send him to the AHL and recall him. While GM Brian Burke is desperate to get rid of Schneider’s contract, he did say today that he would not subject him to re-entry waivers, effectively putting Anaheim back at square one.

At this point I would be surprised to see the Kings make any kind of move for Schneider. There are other guys available who are better defensively for a lot less money. In order to move Schneider, Anaheim will likely have to package him with another player or a high draft pick to get a team to take on his $5.75 million dollar cap hit.

Expect the Kings to look elsewhere for the veteran, left shot defenseman they’re coveting right now.

Andy Strickland of HockeyBuzz.com is reporting that Matheiu Schneider has cleared waivers, meaning the Kings and the remainder of the NHL declined to file a waiver claim for him. Now he becomes subject to reverse waivers, in which the Kings could get him for half of his $5.75 Million salary and the Ducks are on the hook for the other half.

Great move by the Kings and the NHL to stick it to Brian Burke, who was looking to get out of cap trouble easily.

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-JS

USA Today NHL beat writer Kevin Allen is reporting that the Ducks have waived Mathieu Schneider.

The Anaheim Ducks, needing to trim payroll, have placed defenseman Mathieu Schneider on waivers with the expectation that a team will claim him and his $5.75 million salary for this season.

Once they move Schneider off the books, the Ducks are expected to re-sign Teemu Selanne.

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With rumors circulating over the past month or so that the Kings were working on a deal with Anaheim to acquire Schneider, expect the Kings to put in a waiver claim for him sometime today.

Kings GM Dean Lombardi has stated he is looking for a veteran defenseman with a left hand shot. Schneider fits this description to a tee, although some feel his leadership ability is questionable and cite the fact that Schneider has always been a more offensive minded player who isn’t the most responsible in his own end.

If you are the Kings, you can now get Schneider without giving up any assets, but it might be worth giving up a late round pick of two to get a guy like Jay McKee who is better defensively.

-JS