Photo: Tori Hartman

[Updated: 12/09/2018, 2:15 AM]

Yesterday (Friday), it was reported that the Capitals had placed offseason signing Sergei Shumakov on unconditional waivers, with the intention to terminate his contract. Given his struggle to adapt to the North American style of hockey and low productivity with the Hershey Bears, it wasn’t a surprise. However, more details have emerged regarding Shumakov’s parting with the Caps. 

Per Hershey Bears’ play-by-play announcer Zack Fisch in tonight’s pre-game broadcast, Shumakov refused to partake in practice on Tuesday Thursday and ultimately told the team he was leaving North America. Per Fisch, Shumakov’s one-year deal signed with the Capitals shortly before training camp was in part to see if the young Russian forward could parlay his success in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) into a career in North America.

As per @zackfisch, Sergei Shumakov refused to take the ice for practice earlier this week, and as a result, the Capitals placed him on unconditional waivers.

— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) December 7, 2018

Despite scoring three goals and adding one assist in 10 games played with the Chocolate and White, Shumakov never found a niche on a young Bears team and an NHL call-up was unlikely given the number of more experienced young players on the Bears’ roster (see Riley Barber).

Was the player’s decision, and a disappointing one. Think lots of fans thought he deserved a call-up or that he was close to NHL based on past season in KHL. Totally different game here. Never saw that from him, IMO. Good handful of guys ahead of him. Just didn’t work out.

— Zack Fisch (@zackfisch) December 7, 2018

On Saturday, Shumakov, having cleared waivers, signed a PTO with the AHL Springfield Thunderbirds.

Sergei Shumakov signed a PTO with Springfield T-birds #caps

— Igor Eronko (@IgorEronko) December 8, 2018

By Michael Fleetwood