The Blue Jackets have claimed defenseman Craig Rivet off waivers from the Sabres, Blue Jackets Executive Vice President and GM Scott Howson announced today. Rivet is expected to join the club in time for Sunday?s game at Nashville. Rivet has registered 49 goals and 187 assists for 236 points with 1,148 penalty minutes in 909 career games with the Canadiens, Sharks and Sabres. He has also tallied 4-19-23 and 69 penalty minutes in 69 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, averaging 22:35 time on ice in those contests.

Marco Sturm of the Kings, Nick Boynton of the Blackhawks, Wade Belak of the Predators, Kris Newbury of the Rangers and Todd Ford of the Capitals were placed on waivers Friday, according to the waiver list obtained by ESPN.com. Sturm is the biggest name of the bunch, the veteran winger acquired from Boston earlier this season. He is earning $3.5 million this season and will be an unrestricted free agent July 1.

The Flyers placed winger Nikolay Zherdev on waivers, according to the NHL waiver list provided to ESPN.com by a source Wednesday. Zherdev, 26, has been mostly scratched of late by the Flyers. He's earning $2 million this season and scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent July 1.

The Oilers placed disgruntled defenseman Sheldon Souray on re-entry waivers on Saturday, making him available to the other 29 NHL teams at a discounted price. Souray, 34, has been playing for Hershey of the AHL this season after a falling out with Edmonton management. He is earning $4.5 million this season and next season. If a team claims him, the Oilers would pay half of what is left on his contract.

Ray Emery cleared waivers Tuesday and now is free to resume his career by joining the Anaheim's AHL farm club in Syracuse. "I've felt good for a couple of weeks now and had been trying to find the right spot," the goalie told ESPN.com Tuesday afternoon. "Anaheim was interested and I'm really excited it worked out. I get a chance to start up again." Emery signed a one-year, two-way deal Monday with the Ducks. The deal pays him a $500,000, pro-rated salary in the NHL and $105,000 in the minors.

The Lightning have announced that goalie Mike Smith has been placed on waivers. Smith was set to compete with Dan Ellis for playing time behind Tampa Bay's No. 1 guy -- the recently acquired Dwayne Roloson. Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman said he's been exploring trade options, but also that sending one of them to the minors was in the discussion.