According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Freidman, the Washington Capitals have placed forward Richard Panik on waivers on Wednesday. The 30-year-old has served as a healthy scratch in three of the past five games.

Panik has recorded just three goals, nine points, and a -9 rating in 36 games this season while primarily playing in the Capitals’ bottom-six forward group.

If he clears, the Capitals would save $1.675 million under the NHL salary cap and would have that much in cap flexibility ahead of the trade deadline at 3 PM ET on Monday. Panik would be assigned to the taxi squad if he clears.

Following this season, Panik has two years left on a contract that pays him $2.75 million annually.

By 12 PM ET on Thursday, Panik will either clear waivers or go to the lowest-ranked team in the NHL standings that submits a claim for him.

By Harrison Brown