On the weekend, Brooks Laich told The Athletic that he wanted to either play with the Maple Leafs or be moved to another NHL team.



On Tuesday afternoon, he got his answer: The Leafs placed the 33-year-old veteran on waivers.



Laich’s agent Roly Thompson said the news wasn’t exactly unexpected or disappointing. He called the situation Laich has been in with the Leafs all season “horrible” and acknowledged that it’s unlikely another NHL team claims his full $4.5-million salary off waivers.



His hope is that a trade involving retained salary or another bad contract coming back can be arranged now that teams know Laich is available.



“It’s a way for Lou [Lamoriello] to let every team know that he’s available,” Thompson said. “And see what happens.



“I don’t think it’s got anything to do with [trying to punish him for speaking out].”



Thompson added that he...