Rangers place defenseman Ozolinsh on waivers

The New York Rangers have placed defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh on waivers.

Ozolinsh, 34, was acquired from the Anaheim Ducks on March 9. This season, the veteran defenseman has no goals, three assists and a minus-8 rating in 21 games.

He's currently in the final season of a contract that pays him $2.75 million per season.

In June, Ozolinsh pleaded guilty to driving while impaired.

Ozolinsh, who spent time this season in the NHL's substance abuse program, was arrested May 3 on a drunken driving charge but plead guilty to the lesser charge of driving while impaired. He was ordered to pay a $300 fine.

Ozolinsh was stopped after driving 66 mph in a 40-mph zone, police inspector Daniel Jackson said. A field sobriety test estimated the level of alcohol in Ozolinsh's blood at 0.17 percent, more than twice the state legal limit of 0.08 percent.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.