Thunder Bay’s Alex Auld has been placed on waivers by the Dallas Stars.
Other NHL teams have until noon on Thursday to claim the 29-year-old goaltender from the Stars, who have a logjam in nets with the Feb. 9 acquisition of Kari Lehtonen from the Atlanta Thrashers.
Should no team claim Auld, the Stars can elect to go with a three-goalie system and keep him on the roster alongside Lehtonen and Marty Turco, or demote him to the minors.
Auld, who is being paid $1 million in 2009-10, and Turco are pending unrestricted free agents come July 1.
The NHL is in the midst of an Olympic trade freeze, though roster moves are permitted now that teams have started practicing again.
