Samsonov placed on waivers

The Montreal Canadiens placed Sergei Samsonov on waivers Tuesday after the unhappy winger said they should trade him if they're not going to play him.Samsonov, signed to a two-year US$7.05 million contract as a free agent last summer, was listed as a healthy scratch for a second game in a row for Montreal's meeting with the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night."Being scratched two games in a row, you're getting a clear answer that you're a problem, so maybe it's the best solution for both parties," Samsonov said after a team skate Tuesday morning."At this point, I guess you have to ask yourself that."Samsonov has until noon Eastern time Wednesday to clear waivers at which time the Habs could send him to AHL Hamilton or keep him on the roster.Samsonov's Boston-based agent Neil Abbott told Le Journal de Montreal this week he would request a trade after Samsonov was scratched for a 4-3 victory Sunday over the Pittsburgh Penguins.Abbott said Samsonov had played well of late and was being blamed unfairly for the team's inconsistent performance in the past month.Samsonov, a 20-goal scorer through most of his nine-year NHL career, was the club's main off-season signing as a free agent last summer. He has only seven goals and 15 assists in 52 games. He was also scratched for a Jan. 16 game.Coach Guy Carbonneau said that if Samsonov asks for a trade it may affect how much he is used in future."Obviously, I want players who want to play here," said Carbonneau. "I didn't know about the trading thing before the game (Sunday)."I look at what players do on the ice. At the time, I felt the players on the ice would help us win more."The coach said he does not see Samsonov's situation as a distraction for the team, but admitted that, "it's not easy for anyone.""It's not easy for Sergei or the team and it's not easy for me, either," he added. "You think I like it?"I'd rather have Sergei in my lineup with 15 goals and playing well. Those are the decisions I'm paid to make. I had to feel that I put 20 guys on the ice that can win." . Samsonov, drafted eighth overall in 1997 by Boston, had seasons of 29 goals in 2000-01 and 2001-02. He was traded to Edmonton last March 9 for the playoff drive. The Moscow native has struggled in Montreal. He had only one goal in his last 22 games, although he had two assists in a loss in Pittsburgh last week and his plus-minus is even on a team with many top scoring forwards in minus figures.
from:http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/article.jsp?content=20070206_122214_5340

Hockey Guy Notes: Chicago Blackhawks will pick him up! dumb move by the habs, they should have traded him!