Sergei Samsonov was placed on waivers by the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday.

Samsonov, 29, couldn't muster a goal in 24 games in his first season with Chicago, managing just four assists. He has often been a healthy scratch and played under five minutes in his last appearance, Dec. 23 against Edmonton.

The diminutive forward was acquired in a June trade after spending a tumultuous season with the Montreal Canadiens.

Samsonov's career has essentially been in a downward trajectory since 2006 when he left the Boston Bruins, the team that drafted him. He has bucked conventional wisdom by not benefiting from the post-lockout rules thought to aid smaller, creative players.

Samsonov was a solid contributor when acquired from Boston by the Edmonton Oilers as they came within a game of winning the Stanley Cup in 2006, but he opted not to return to the Oilers.

The five-foot-nine Russian had four goals and 11 assists in 24 playoff games with Edmonton, but signed a two-year, $7-million US free agent deal with Montreal.

Samsonov totalled just 26 points with the Canadiens and publicly clashed with coach Guy Carbonneau and general manager Bob Gainey.

He was selected eighth overall by the Bruins in the 1997 NHL entry draft, the year they selected Joe Thornton with the top pick.

Samsonov upstaged the younger Thornton in their first season, winning the Calder Trophy as the NHL's best rookie after notching 47 points. Two seasons later, he recorded a career-best 75 points.

Overall, Samsonov has amassed 178 goals and 244 assists in 619 NHL games.

Chicago recalled forward Jack Skille from Rockford in the American Hockey League on Saturday. Skille was the team's seventh overall pick in the 2005 draft and has yet to play a game with the Blackhawks.

Other NHL clubs can claim Samsonov off waivers before Monday afternoon but would be on the hook for his salary. If not claimed, he could be sent to Rockford.