The Jets announced they’ve reassigned defenseman Kale Clague to AHL Manitoba. He doesn’t need waivers because he’s been on the Jets’ active roster for fewer than 30 days since last clearing them, which happened back on Oct. 2.
Clague, 27, was up with Winnipeg for just one game and didn’t draw into the lineup. He came up earlier in the week after fellow rearguard Haydn Fleury took a shot off the kneecap and was rendered unavailable for Monday’s game against the Islanders. Fleury’s absence is already behind him, though, as the team’s Mitchell Clinton reflects he’s expected back in third-pairing duties with Luke Schenn tonight against the Flyers.
Winnipeg is Clague’s fourth NHL organization. He was a second-round pick by the Kings back in 2016. After failing to advance past a fringe NHL role with the club, he was claimed off waivers by the Canadiens during the 2021-22 season. He finished out the year before being non-tendered by Montreal and signing with the Sabres in free agency. Clague went on to sign three straight one-year, two-way deals with the Sabres before reaching unrestricted free agency last summer. He was a Day 2 signing by the Jets, who matched his two most recent deals with Buffalo that carried a league-minimum NHL salary and a $475K AHL salary.
The 6’0″ lefty has 94 games of NHL experience and will continue to be one of the Jets’ primary recall options in case of short-term injuries like Fleury’s. The Regina, Saskatchewan native had a career high of 39 points in 69 games with AHL Rochester last year. He was held without a point and had an even rating in his Manitoba debut last week before getting recalled.
With Clague down, Winnipeg has an open roster spot. They started the year with 14 forwards and seven defensemen, but went to 13 and eight with Fleury’s short-term absence, sending Brad Lambert down earlier this week to accommodate Clague’s recall. None of their players on injured reserve – Adam Lowry, Cole Perfetti, or Dylan Samberg – are close to a return. It’s unclear if they plan to operate with an open spot for a while or if they’ll bring someone else up from the minors in the coming days.