The Devils placed defenseman Anssi Salmela on waivers Thursday, and if unclaimed by noon Friday, can assign him to Albany.

Salmela returned to the Devils in February’s trade with Atlanta for Ilya Kovalchuk, but retore his right knee anterior cruciate ligament during the lead up to last spring’s World Championships. He underwent surgery in June to reconstruct the ligament, which had been reconstructed years earlier.

Salmela, 26, has played 11 games this season, with one assist and minus-7, in his comeback from the surgery.