PITTSBURGH — The Rangers’ ignoble experiment with Donald Brashear seems to be at an end.
Assistant general manager Jim Schoenfeld told reporters before last night’s opening faceoff that the unhappy, seldom-used and completely-ineffective 38-year-old winger would be assigned to the AHL Wolf Pack today after having cleared waivers at noon yesterday.
“Donald made it clear he wanted a change of scenery,” Schoenfeld said of Brashear, who earlier in the week requested a trade. “I can understand Donald’s frustration . . . [but] he’s not a fit for our team at this time.”
Brashear, who had one point (an assist) with a minus-nine and 73 penalty minutes in 36 games, has been scratched from 13 of the Rangers’ past 14 matches. The Rangers will clear approximately $400,000 in cap space by dispatching Brashear to the minors.
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The Blueshirts acquired heavyweight Jody Shelly from San Jose this afternoon in exchange for a conditional pick in the 2011 Entry Draft. The Rangers will owe the Sharks a sixth-rounder unless they sign the impending unrestricted free agent to a new contract. In that case, they will owe San Jose a fifth-rounder.
Shelley, who has three assists with 78 penalty minutes in 38 games, scored a one-punch TKO of Toronto heavyweight Colton Orr on Monday night.
“We feel that Jody is a real good fit in that role,” Schoenfeld said.