The Ottawa Senators placed Luke Richardson on waivers today with the hopes that the veteran defenceman will be able to join the club as a part-time coach in the near future.

If Richardson clears waivers by 12 noon pm ET on Friday, he will not report to the club's AHL farm team in Binghamton. Instead, Craig Hartsburg will likely utilize Richardson in a limited role on his coaching staff.

"He has great interpersonal skills and the players here respect him," general manager Bryan Murray said Thursday. "The players recognize the commitment he made to be an NHL player. He won't be a full-time coach, but he'll be around the team quite a bit."

When he signed a two-way deal prior to the start of the regular seaon, Richardson and the team talked about this scenario unfolding if he did not see substantial playing time. The 36-year-old appeared in just two regular season games. He will likely be used as a coach in the press box on game nights.

Richardson's NHL salary of $500,000 will come off the Senators payroll and will not be counted against the salary cap if he clears waivers on Friday.