The defenseman cleared waivers at noon today — even with lots of money to spend and a defensive spot to fill, the Islanders weren’t dumb enough to bite — and his reassignment to Hartford officially removes his $6.5 million cap hit from the books. Redden has yet to decide whether to accept that assignment (and get his money), or reject it, thereby voiding his contract and allowing him to sign elsewhere — for less money, of course. Now let the debate begin over whether deep-pocketed teams such as the Rangers should even be allowed to bury toxic contracts like Redden’s in the minors — a luxury plenty of franchises can’t afford. [Blueshirts Blog/NYDN, Hockey News]