Kings place Marco Sturm on waivers

Updated: February 25, 2011, 1:59 PM ET

Another day, another busy NHL waiver wire list.

Marco Sturm of the Los Angeles Kings, Nick Boynton of the Chicago Blackhawks, Wade Belak of the Nashville Predators, Kris Newbury of the New York Rangers and Todd Ford of the Washington Capitals were placed on waivers Friday, according to the list obtained by ESPN.com.

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Sturm, the veteran winger acquired from Boston earlier this season, is the biggest name of the bunch. The 32-year-old German is earning $3.5 million this season and will be an unrestricted free agent July 1.

As expected, the Buffalo Sabres put Craig Rivet on re-entry waivers, hoping a team might claim him before noon ET Saturday for half of his contract.

The Sabres had put Rivet, their veteran defenseman and captain, on waivers Wednesday, hoping they could help him find a new home, but he went unclaimed. Rivet, who has played in only 23 games this season, is earning $3.5 million and also will be an unrestricted free agent.

Also put on re-entry waivers Friday was Mike Commodore of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Mike Smith of the Tampa Bay Lightning cleared re-entry waivers Friday and he's expected to be the backup goalie to Dwayne Roloson after the team traded Dan Ellis Thursday to the Anaheim Ducks.

Steve Bernier of the Florida Panthers also cleared waivers Friday.

The NHL's trade deadline is 3 p.m. ET Monday.

Pierre LeBrun covers the NHL for ESPN.com.