From Newsday (looking for a link now, but here's the text)
Quote:
The Rangers were hoping for offensive sparks last March when they acquired defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh from the Anaheim Ducks for San Jose's third-round pick in this year's entry draft. They received some when he scored three goals and had 11 assists in 19 games.
But Ozolinsh's defensive liabilities during last season's late tailspin and the playoff sweep by the Devils, an offseason drunken-driving plea and faltering play this season finally burned his bridges with the Rangers. The 34-year-old former All-Star was waived Monday and defenseman Thomas Pock was summoned from Hartford for Tuesday's game against the Islanders.
If Ozolinsh clears waivers in 24 hours, he will be assigned to the Wolf Pack and about $1.8 million of his prorated salary will be removed from the Rangers' salary cap. It was unclear whether Ozolinsh, who had major offseason surgery on his previously repaired knees and pleaded guilty in June in White Plains to a reduced charge of driving while impaired in May, will report or retire. His agent didn't respond to a phone message left at his office.
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