Breaking: Evgeny Kuznetsov has been placed on waivers.

The Washington Capitals have made a surprising, if not shocking, move.

Just hours after it was announced that Capitals forward Evgeny Kuznetsov had been cleared to resume practice after entering the National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players Association Player Assistance Program, the Capitals have now announced that they are placing the 31 year old Russian forward on waivers.

Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan explained the decision and it certainly doesn't sound like Kuznetsov is part of the team's future plans.

"It’s about a fresh start for Kuzy, first of all. He’s been looking for a change in environment and this might set the wheels in motion for that to be accomplished," said MacLellan.

It is unclear what the next step for Kuznetsov will be here but I can assure you that, given both the decline in his performance and the stigma around the player, that no team in the NHL is looking to take on his cap hit of $7.8 million for both this season as well as next season.

This is no doubt a low point in Kuznetsov's NHL career but hopefully it can serve as an important wake up call for the troubled forward.