Veteran defenseman Steve Montador has jumped from the NHL to the KHL. Croatian KHL club Medvescak Zagreb says it has signed the 10-year NHL veteran to a contract. Last season, Montador struggled with concussion problems and was later sent to the AHL and wasn't around to help the Chicago Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup. He was well respected within the NHL, however, and was part of the committee of players who negotiated with the owners during the lockout. The Hawks used a compliance buyout on Montador and saved $2.75 million in cap space in the process.

Steve Montador went unclaimed on unconditional waivers. That means Chicago can use a compliance buyout on Montador as planned. The move will save the Blackhawks $2.75 million in cap space in each of the next two seasons.

The Chicago Blackhawks plan to use a compliance buyout on Steve Montador. If he isn't claimed off waivers then the Stanley Cup champions will cut ties with the veteran defenseman via a buyout. Montador hasn't played an NHL game since he suffered a concussion on March 27, 2012. He is healthy now though and managed to appear in 14 games with AHL Rockford before the end of the season.

Steve Montador cleared waivers Tuesday and was assigned to AHL Rockford. Montador had been skating with the Hawks but hasn't played this season after suffering a concussion on March 27, 2012. It's unlikely this is a conditioning stint since he wouldn't have had to pass through waivers for that, meaning it's possible Montador will spend more than 14 days with the Hawks' AHL affiliate.

Steve Montador has been placed on waivers by Chicago, according to multiple reports. The Hawks don't need to put him on waivers to give him a conditioning stint in the minors, so it's possible that he'll remain in the AHL for longer than a typical 14-day assignment if he clears. He hasn't played yet this season because of a concussion and his last game action came on Mar. 27 of last year. He has been cleared to return though and has been skating with the team for the last couple of weeks.

There's talk that Steve Montador could use a conditioning assignment before returning to the Blackhawks lineup. For the time being, Montador is among his Chicago teammates after being activated from injured reserve on Wednesday. Whether he begins his comeback with the Rockford IceHogs or not, Montador couldn't be happier after enduring what he has. "Here we are, I can smile and talk about it a little bit and get on the ice," Montador said. "It's a brand new day."

Steve Montador (concussion) will be activated from injured reserve, but he won't play Wednesday. Montador hasn't played yet this season and the Hawks will have eight healthy defensemen on their roster.

Steve Montador (concussion) continues to skate. Montador has not been cleared by the medical staff to play as of yet. He suffered the concussion on February 7, 2012, played in one game on March 27, took another hit to the head, this time from the Devils Mark Fayne and was shut down the remainder of the season. He should be able to return to the Chicago lineup in the foreseeable future but the Blackhawks do not want to rush him if he is not 100 percent.

Steve Montador hasn't experienced concussion-related symptoms in weeks. Montador has been skating and even taken some contact. He's getting close to returning, but it's not clear if the Blackhawks have already penciled in a possible return date.

Steve Montador continues to skate in practice as he attempts to recover from a concussion that has kept him on the shelf all season. There is no word on when Montador will be ready to return to action. Montador suffered a concussion a year ago and suffered another one before the lockout ended when he collided with a teammate during an informal workout.