Toronto Maple Leafs forward Brooks Laich cleared waivers on Wednesday. The team had exposed him two days after the veteran center questioned where he fit in the team's plans.
The Maple Leafs acquired the 33-year-old in a trade with Washington a year ago, hoping the 13-year veteran would play a leadership role on a young, rebuilding team. Laich, however, has spent this season in the minors since being demoted in October. The three-time 20-goal scorer missed two months because of an undisclosed injury and has a goal and five assists in 22 games with AHL Toronto.
On Monday, The Athletic online publication quoted Laich as saying he would prefer the opportunity to pursue winning a Stanley Cup championship with another team if the Maple Leafs don't consider him part of their plans this season.
Laich is in the final year of a contract that pays him a base salary of $4 million this season.