Some huge news from the NHL's waiver wire today. After it was announced earlier that Evgeny Kuznetsov of the Washington Capitals had been cleared to resume practicing after entering the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance program, the team has put him on waivers.
If Washington had simply wanted Kuznetsov to get into game shape in the AHL, they could have sent him on a conditioning stint, which wouldn't require waivers. This makes it seem like the relationship between the two sides is over.
Kuznetsov has another year left on his current contract after this one, which carries an annual cap hit of $7.8 million. If Kuznetsov clears, it's doubtful he goes to play in the AHL, so waivers gives an opportunity for another team to pick him up without giving anything in return. Whether there's a team that's willing to take the risk on him remains to be seen.
