On Monday, the Toronto Maple Leafs waived Eric Fehr, and he cleared on Tuesday. Wednesday saw him at practice, just like normal. What’s going on?
The simple answer might be that James van Riemsdyk was out, and he may or may not play in the next game. Fehr might be around still simply as a precaution against future need until the Leafs are sure van Riemsdyk can play.
However, the Leafs didn’t have to remove anyone from the roster, they currently sit at the 23-man limit.
Clearing waivers doesn’t obligate a team to move the player to the AHL, it just allows them to.