Evgeny Kuznetsov placed on waivers by Capitals after being cleared by NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program

The Washington Captials have placed forward Evgeny Kuznetsov on the same he was cleared by the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program to rejoin his team.

Kuznetsov entered the program last month after missing practice on Feb. 5, with the team saying that he was not participating due to “personal reasons.”

The 31-year-old was previously rumored in trade discussions while the Capitals struggled to stay in the playoff race. Kuznetsov is in the seventh year of an eight-year contract with Washington, carrying a cap hit of $7.8 million through next season. Kuznetsov currently holds a modified 10-team no-trade clause, but with a high cap hit and limited production, it’s unlikely a team will look to pick him up on waivers.

Through 43 appearances, Kuznetsov has scored just six goals and 11 assists, far off the pace that has seen him register well over 50 points in each of the last two seasons. Kuznetsov has spent his entire NHL career with the Caps since getting drafted 26th overall back in 2010.

In 723 career games, the 2010 first-round pick has totaled 171 goals and 397 assists. In 87 playoff games, Kuznetsov has scored 67 points, 32 of which came in the Caps’ run to the franchise’s first Stanley Cup in 2018.

In his career, Kuznetsov has been a two-time NHL All-Star and helped his country win gold at the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship and 2014 IIHF World Championship.

Kuznetsov has never played in the American Hockey League, having spent four years in the KHL before jumping over to the NHL in 2013-14.

The Capitals (28-22-9) are scheduled to host the Arizona Coyotes on Sunday afternoon. They are currently fourth in the Metropolitan Division, four points behind the Philadelphia Flyers for third. They are also five points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for the last wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.