Breaking: Cup champion goes unclaimed, could head to retirement

Defenseman Mark Streit hit the waiver wire on Thursday and the 39-year-old was left unclaimed. 

News broke on Wednesday that the Montreal Canadiens had been trying to trade the veteran, but evidently Habs GM Marc Bergevin has not found any willing trade partners. A clearer idea was made when Streit was not claimed by any rival team today.

While Streit had signed with the Habs in late July, the emergence of rookie Victor Mete has essentially made Streit an expendable asset. While Bergevin and head coach Claude Julien could elect to sit Streit in the press-box, it appears as though they’d like to give the Stanley Cup champion an opportunity to close out his career on the ice with another NHL team.

However, with today's outcome, Streit could decide to hang up the skates to avoid going to the Laval Rocket in the AHL.

After winning a Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins last summer, Streit could choose to call it a career.