The Washington Capitals placed forward Brooks Laich on waivers Saturday.
The 32-year-old is in the midst of a nightmare season, with only a goal and six assists in 59 games for the Eastern Conference leaders.
Earning $4 million, Laich's under contract for another season at the same salary, but carries a cap hit of $4.5 million.
If Brooks Laich clears waivers and is assigned to AHL, #Caps will clear $950,000 annual space, enough to activate Jay Beagle from LTIR.
— General Fanager (@generalfanager) February 27, 2016
All but one of Laich's 742 regular-season games have been played in a Capitals uniform. He had four straight 40-plus point seasons from 2008-09 through 2011-12, but injuries have kept him from playing a full campaign since. He's averaging a career-low 10:34 of ice time.
Brooks Laich is expected to play in Chicago tomorrow, if he clears. He's on the team. This was just a paperwork issue.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) February 27, 2016
If that's not the case, and Laich reports to the AHL, he'll still be paid $4 million, according to CSN's Chuck Gormley, and will be eligible for Washington's playoff roster.
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