After his stint within the NHL/NHLPA Participant Help Program in February and being cleared by the NHLPA to affix his staff for apply on Saturday, middle Evgeny Kuznetsov was positioned on waivers by the Washington Capitals later within the day.
No matter whether or not the 31-year-old will get claimed, the staff can be on the hook for the remainder of Kuznetsov’s wage for the subsequent two seasons ($7.8 million cap hit).
MacLellan stated he didn’t talk about with Kuznetsov and his agent whether or not he would report back to Hershey if he’s assigned there.
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) March 2, 2024
Washington tried to commerce Kuznetsov through the 2021 and 2023 offseasons however couldn’t discover a taker both time.
He has had his worst season thus far, tallying six objectives and 17 factors in 43 video games. Kuznetsov, who has not performed since January 27, was a wholesome scratch in a 5-0 loss to the Arizona Coyotes on December 4.
The transfer frees up some area underneath the NHL wage cap with the commerce deadline lower than 144 hours away (3 PM ET on Friday). Washington entered Saturday 5 factors out of a wild-card spot with a sport in hand on the Tampa Bay Lightning and 4 again of third place within the Metropolitan Division with two video games in hand on the Philadelphia Flyers after Friday’s 5-2 win over Philadelphia.
President of hockey operations & basic supervisor Brian MacLellan meets with the media forward of the commerce deadline on March 8.#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/PpeixnFqco
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 2, 2024
The staff hosts Arizona on Sunday (1 PM ET, Monumental Sports activities Community regionally, NHL Community nationally) and visits the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday earlier than the deadline.
By Harrison Brown
