The Chicago Blackhawks will terminate forward Jordan Maletta’s contract after he cleared unconditional waivers Friday.
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet first reported the Hawks placing Maletta on waivers Thursday.
Chicago acquired Maletta in a seven-player trade with the Coyotes in July. Maletta, Andrew Campbell, Marcus Kruger, MacKenzie Entwistle and a 2019 fifth-round draft pick were sent to the Blackhawks in exchange for Vinnie Hinostroza, Jordan Oesterle and a 2019 third-round pick.
Last month, Maletta told a Niagara IceDogs radio show that he wasn’t medically cleared to play this season and that his career might be over. The 23-year-old also said he was “interning” as a coach with the IceDogs, where he played parts of four OHL seasons.
Maletta appeared in only 29 AHL games last season due to a hand injury, tallying four assists with the Blue Jackets’ affiliate in Cleveland before being dealt to Arizona. He skated in only one game with the Tucson Roadrunners.
Maletta is with Chicago’s AHL affiliate in Rockford.