Four players placed on waivers today ahead of Olympic roster freeze

This just in, the Montreal Canadiens have placed veteran forward Sammy Blais on waivers.

The 29 year old forward has played just 13 games for the Habs this season, putting up two goals and five points. Of course, he was with the Toronto Maple Leafs earlier this season before being picked up by the Habs off waivers. He put up one goal and three points in eight games with the Leafs. He also put up nine points in nine games with the Habs' AHL affiliate Laval Rocket.

It's worth noting that if the Leafs put in a successful claim on Blais, they could bypass waivers and assign him directly to the AHL's Toronto Marlies.

Additionally, three players have been placed on waivers for the purposes of contract termination.

These three players are essentially being released from their contracts, creating some roster flexibility for the Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins and St. Louis Blues. Don't be surprised if these moves are the precursor(s) to future moves to come between now and tomorrow's roster freeze.