The Buffalo Sabres on Monday placed winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel, who has lost his regular spot in the lineup, on waivers.
If Aube-Kubel, 28, clears, the Sabres could assign him to the Rochester Americans. He played 11 games in the AHL with the Hershey Bears early last season before returning to the Washington Capitals.
The Sabres signed Aube-Kubel to a one-year, $1.5 million contract July 1 as they overhauled their fourth line by adding grit and speed.
But a knee injury he suffered in the season opener and ineffectiveness have limited him to just 19 games. Over the past few months, he has often been a healthy scratch.
He has compiled one goal, two points and a minus-4 rating this season.
The Sabres could be planning to recall rookie forward Tyson Kozak, who has played his first nine NHL games this season. They sent Kozak, 22, back to Rochester on Saturday.