After his stint in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program in February and being cleared by the NHLPA to join his team for practice on Saturday, center Evgeny Kuznetsov was placed on waivers by the Washington Capitals later in the day.
Regardless of whether the 31-year-old gets claimed, the team will be on the hook for the rest of Kuznetsov’s salary for the next two seasons ($7.8 million cap hit).
MacLellan said he did not discuss with Kuznetsov and his agent whether he would report to Hershey if he’s assigned there.
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) March 2, 2024
Washington tried to trade Kuznetsov during the 2021 and 2023 offseasons but could not find a taker either time.
He has had his worst season to date, tallying six goals and 17 points in 43 games. Kuznetsov, who has not played since January 27, was a healthy scratch in a 5-0 loss to the Arizona Coyotes on December 4.
The move frees up some space under the NHL salary cap with the trade deadline less than 144 hours away (3 PM ET on Friday). Washington entered Saturday five points out of a wild-card spot with a game in hand on the Tampa Bay Lightning and four back of third place in the Metropolitan Division with two games in hand on the Philadelphia Flyers after Friday’s 5-2 win over Philadelphia.
President of hockey operations & general manager Brian MacLellan meets with the media ahead of the trade deadline on March 8.#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/PpeixnFqco
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 2, 2024
The team hosts Arizona on Sunday (1 PM ET, Monumental Sports Network locally, NHL Network nationally) and visits the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday before the deadline.
By Harrison Brown