The Washington Capitals placed forward Evgeny Kuznetsov on waivers on Saturday.
This comes just hours after the National League and Players Association announced that the Russian could return to training with the team in the American capital. However, he has not yet received the green light to take part in games.
Kuznetsov has not played since the player assistance program began in early February.
It wasn't the first time the 31-year-old hockey player used this program. In 2019, he joined her after failing a cocaine drug test during the Ice Hockey World Cup. He was subsequently banned from the Russian team for four years.
Kuznetsov is struggling this season with a meager 17 points, including six goals, in 43 games. He also has a differential of -11.
The 31 other teams in the Bettman circuit have until Sunday afternoon to secure the name of the Caps' first-round pick (26th overall) in the 2010 draft. If no one wants him, he'll join the Bears of Hershey, the Capitals' best player. Farm club in the American League.
“Most importantly, this is a new beginning for 'Kuzy,'” said general manager Brian MacLellan, whose comments were reported by Monumental Sports Network. He wanted a change in the environment and this could set things in motion to make that happen.”
In his career, Kuznetsov found the target 171 times and provided 397 assists for 568 points in 723 games.