Music: {allcanada} Flames' Kotalik on re-entry waivers

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

{allcanada} Flames' Kotalik on re-entry waivers

Veteran National Hockey League forward Ales Kotalik became available to 29 teams Wednesday for $1.5 million US, or half of this season's salary.

Anyone? … Anyone?

The Calgary Flames have placed the 32-year-old right-winger on re-entry waivers, nearly one month after assigning Kotalik to their American Hockey League affiliate in Abbotsford, B.C.

Kotalik started the 2010-11 season on the injured list with a knee problem and managed only three goals in 20 games.

The ninth-year NHLer has scored just six goals and eight points in 46 contests with Calgary since arriving from the New York Rangers in the Olli Jokinen trade last season. Kotalik also was dogged by a knee injury.

Kotalik is under contract through the 2011-12 campaign at $3 million.

Flames right-winger Niklas Hagman cleared waivers Tuesday and played in a 3-1 loss to Boston that night.

Several other NHL players were placed on waivers Wednesday, including forwards Nikolai Zherdev (Philadelphia), Marek Svatos (Nashville) and Jeremy Colliton (NY Islanders) along with defenceman Craig Rivet (Buffalo).

Rivet is a 16-year NHL veteran who has seen very little playing time this season, appearing in only 23 games. He hasn't played since Jan. 11, and been a healthy scratch for the past 16 contests.

Rivet is in the final year of his contract. Prior to the start of the season, he raised the possibility that he was considering retirement after this season.