According to the New York Daily News, the Rangers waived left wing Donald Brashear after the team's acquisition of Jody Shelley last week. Brashear cleared waivers and joined the Rangers' AHL affiliate in Hartford prior to the Olympic roster freeze.
Rangers assistant GM Jim Schoenfeld wants to give his team a chance to make the playoffs, and Brashear's demotion removes a distraction from the team's locker room.
"Brash made it clear he wanted a change of scenery," Schoenfeld told the Daily News. "We're in a battle for our lives, and we want guys on the ice who want to go on the ice in that uniform."
The left wing has failed to meet the Rangers' expectations after signing a two-year, $2.4 million deal with the team in the offseason. The 38-year-old veteran recorded one assist in 36 games with the Rangers this season.
Brashear asked the Rangers to find him a new home after playing only once in his last 14 games with the team, the Daily News reports.
