CHICAGO - Veteran forward Sergei Samsonov was placed on NHL waivers by the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday.
If no team claims the 29-year-old Russian left-winger by noon Monday, he could be sent to the AHL affiliate the Rockford (Ill.) IceHogs.
Samsonov has appeared in 23 of Chicago's games without scoring a goal. He has four assists, and a minus-seven plus-minus rating. He was acquired last June from Montreal for Jassen Cullimore and Tony Salmelainen.
Samsonov is under contract for US$3.525 million this season and can become an unrestricted free agent next July 1. He was the eighth player selected in the 1997 entry draft by Boston and got a career-best 75 points, including 29 goals, for the Bruins in 2000-2001.