San Jose Sharks place little-used forward on waivers

SAN JOSE – The San Jose Sharks placed little-used forward Givani Smith on waivers on Sunday.

Smith has zero points in just six games this season. His last game came on Nov. 25, when he had 6:42 of ice time against the Los Angeles Kings.

Smith, 26, is in the second and final year of a $1.6 million contract he signed with the Sharks in 2023. If Smith goes unclaimed by Monday morning, he will report to the Barracuda of the AHL.

The move opens a roster spot for the Sharks (10-15-5), who could soon welcome two players back to the active roster.

Defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic is nearing a return after missing all of training camp and every regular season game with an upper-body injury. Forward Barclay Goodrow recently began skating again after being placed on injured reserve on Nov. 28, also with an upper-body ailment.

The Sharks have a 2-2-0 record on a six-game road trip that resumes Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes and finishes Thursday against the St. Louis Blues.

The Barracuda, coming off two wins ar home this weekend over the Coachella Valley Firebirds, next play at Coachella Valley on Thursday to start a five-game road trip.