Evgeny Kuznetsov was placed on waivers by the Washington Capitals on Saturday.
The 31-year-old forward has 17 points (six goals, 11 assists) in 43 games this season and will be traded to Hershey of the American Hockey League if he is granted waivers. He has not played since January 27 and entered the NHLPA and NHL Player Assistance Program on February 5.
Earlier Saturday, Kuznetsov was cleared to resume practice with the Capitals and entered the follow-up care phase of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.
Kuznetsov, who has had several health scratches this season, is on pace for his fewest points since 2020-21 with 29 points (in 41 games).
He has one season left on the eight-year, $62.4 million contract he signed with Washington on July 2, 2017, averaging $7.8 million annually.
Drafted in the first round (26th pick) of the 2010 NHL Draft, Kuznetsov played in 723 regular season games with the Capitals, recording 568 points (171 goals, 397 assists), including 20 This includes four seasons in which he scored more than a goal. He scored 67 points (29 goals, 38 assists) in 87 Stanley Cup Playoff games, led the team in the postseason with 32 points (12 goals, 20 assists), and helped lead the team to the Stanley Cup in 2018.
The Capitals (28-22-9), who host the Arizona Coyotes on Sunday, are four points behind the Philadelphia Flyers in third place in the Metropolitan Division with two games remaining and the second wild card Tampa Bay Lightning. There is a 5 point difference. They advanced to the playoffs from the Eastern Conference with three games remaining.
