The Washington Capitals have loaned center Evgeny Kuznetsov to the Hershey Bears as a result of the 2010 first rounder clearing waivers. Nobody claimed him among the 31 other teams when the Caps sent him there yesterday, probably as a result of his cap hit casualty so he's with the Bears for now and could skate and practice with them as early as tomorrow. Key word, could.
Kuznetsov entering waivers came hours after he was cleared by the NHLPA Player Assistance program which came just before the Capitals practiced yesterday and hours after said practice ended. He wasn't present on the ice at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. This news comes in the middle of the Capitals playing as we're writing this in the second period of the game with the Caps trailing 1-0 to the Arizona Coyotes. Actually now it's 2-0.
And as we're still writing this Sonny Milano put the Caps on the board and now the Coyotes just took a 3-1 lead. With the help of Tarik El-Bashir of Monumental Sports Network in an article he wrote, here's what Capitals General Manager Brian MacLellan said to the DC media moments after that waiver transaction was made:
""It's about a fresh start for Kuzy, first of all. He's been looking for a change in environment, and this might set the wheels in motion for that to be accomplished.""Brian MacLellan via Tarik El-Bashir
MacLellan then added this:
""We have a history that's gone on for a while, and it's frustrating on both sides. It's an opportunity for our side, too, to start fresh and to try to get him an opportunity to continue his career.""MacLellan via El-Bashir
Frank Servalli of The Daily Face Off said this on X which totally makes a lot of sense.
#allcaps Evgeny Kuznetsov has cleared waivers and is expected to be sent to AHL Hershey, where he is believed to be the highest salaried player ever rostered in the AHL.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 3, 2024
The Caps still trail 3-1 to Arizona and we'll have more about what happens on the ice after that game.