The Montreal Canadiens have placed Petteri Nokelainen on waivers, according to RDS’ Renaud Lavoie.
Nokelainen, 27, hasn’t played since last season due to a lingering back issue -- but he’s reportedly recovered, hence the move to put him on waivers.
Assuming he clears, Nokelainen will head to AHL Hamilton for a conditioning assignment.
The Finnish center, a former first round pick of the Islanders in 2004, played in 51 games for Montreal last season, scoring 3G-3A-6PTS while averaging 8:35 of ice time per contest.
The Canadiens kept him from going to free agency last summer, signing him to a one-year, $575,000 deal just prior to July 1.