The NHL and NHLPA Player Assistance Program cleared Evgeny Kuznetsov to practise Saturday morning. The Washington Capitals have since placed him on waivers.

Update (March 3): Evgeny Kuznetsov cleared waivers and has been loaned to the AHL's Hershey Bears, the Washington Capitals announced Sunday.

Saturday's original story follows:

The Washington Capitals placed center Evgeny Kuznetsov on waivers after the NHL and NHLPA Player Assistance program cleared him to practise with the team.

"He's been looking for a change in environment, and this might set the wheels in motion for that to be accomplished," Capitals GM Brian MacLellan told reporters Saturday.

The NHL and NHLPA announced on Feb. 5 the 31-year-old would receive care from the assistance program. On Saturday, they announced Kuznetsov entered the follow-up care phase of the program and that while he's not yet cleared to return to game action, he could resume practising.

Kuznetsov, a 2010 first-round pick, has spent his 11-year NHL career with the Capitals, recording 171 goals and 397 assists for 568 points in 723 games. The Chelyabinsk, Russia, native also has 67 points in 87 career playoff games and was part of the Stanley Cup-winning Capitals squad in 2018.

All 31 other NHL teams had a chance to claim Kuznetsov, who has two years remaining on an eight-year contract worth $7.8 million per year. Only nine teams currently have at least $7.8 million in cap space this season, per PuckPedia.

So far this season, Kuznetsov has six goals and 11 assists for 17 points in 43 games, which would be the lowest totals of his career since playing his first 17 games in 2013-14. However, he had 55 points in 81 games last year and 78 points in 79 games the previous season.

The Capitals play Sunday against the Arizona Coyotes at 1 p.m. ET. The AHL Bears play Saturday at home, then play their following four games on the road.

For more team coverage, visit The Hockey News' Washington Capitals site.