Alexander Semin's time in Montreal is over, and his NHL career may not be far behind.

The Canadiens placed the Russian winger on unconditional waivers Wednesday for the purposes of mutually terminating his contract.

Signed to the bargain-basement price of US$1.1 million on a one-year deal after being bought out by the Carolina Hurricanes, Semin was a colossal disappointment for the Canadiens.

The three-time 30-goal scorer with the Washington Capitals had just one goal and four assists in 15 games with Montreal. The move to put him on unconditional waivers came a day after Semin cleared regular waivers.

The Habs were not expected to assign him to the St. John's IceCaps of the American Hockey League.

Semin could look to go to the Kontinental Hockey League. Agent Mark Gandler said via phone that he had no immediate comment on Semin's plans.

Semin, 31, was in his 11th NHL season after Washington picked him 13th overall in the 2002 draft.

With the Capitals, Semin showed flashes of being one of the most talented scorers in hockey, even if his incredible skill wasn't consistent. He earned as much as $6.7 million annually from Washington before the Capitals let him walk as a free agent in the summer of 2012.

The Hurricanes signed Semin to a $7-million, one-year contract, and his 44 points in 44 games during the lockout-shortened 2013 season got him a $35-million, five-year contract.

Semin lasted two of those seasons before new Hurricanes general manager Ron Francis bought out the rest.

In 650 career regular-season games, Semin had 239 goals and 278 assists.

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