The Washington Capitals placed playoff hero Devante Smith-Pelly on waivers Wednesday ahead of next week’s NHL trade deadline.
Coach Todd Reirden told reporters in Toronto the plan was to waive winger Dmitrij Jaskin, who did not practice, but the team changed course.
If one of the other 30 teams claims Smith-Pelly, it would clear a roster spot and his $1 million salary off the books for the defending Stanley Cup champion Capitals. General manager Brian MacLellan has said the team is shopping for a forward, and pending restricted free agent winger Andre Burakovsky is a potential trade chip.
The deadline is 3 p.m. Eastern on Monday.
Smith-Pelly, 26, scored seven goals in last year’s playoffs during the Capitals’ run to the title. This season, Smith-Pelly hasn’t scored a goal in 33 games, registered an assist in 17 games and has just eight points in 54 games.
Also Wednesday, the San Jose Sharks claimed forward Micheal Haley off waivers from the Florida Panthers. Haley recently played parts of three seasons with the Sharks.
The Philadelphia Flyers put Mike McKenna on waivers to clear a glut of goaltenders. Philadelphia has three other goalies – rookie starter Carter Hart, recently acquired backup Cam Talbot and veteran Brian Elliott – on its 23-man roster.
Veteran goalie Michael Leighton, who helped the Flyers reach the 2010 Cup Final, cleared waivers after signing for the rest of the season with the Vancouver Canucks. Anaheim Ducks winger Patrick Eaves was also among those who cleared waivers, and the Pittsburgh Penguins put forward Joseph Cramarossa on waivers after signing him.
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