The Edmonton Oilers placed veteran forward Sam Gagner on waivers Tuesday, potentially clearing roster space for a deal leading up to Friday's NHL trade deadline.

Gagner, 34, has five goals and 10 points in 27 games this season, averaging 10:14 time on ice.

He is in his third tour with Edmonton after signing a one-year, two-way deal worth $775,000 in late October.

Longtime Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov cleared waivers Sunday after not being claimed by any of the NHL's other 31 teams and has been assigned to Hershey of the American Hockey League.

The Capitals put Kuznetsov on waivers Saturday, hours after he was cleared to practice by administrators for the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. It's unclear if Kuznetsov will report to the AHL-leading Bears.

The Washington Capitals have placed forward Evgeni Kuznetsov on waivers.

News of the decision came down Saturday, just hours after the center was cleared to resume practicing as he entered the follow-up care phase of the NHL/NHLPA assistance program. Kuznetsov entered the program Feb. 6 and has missed Washington's past 12 games.

It's unclear why Kuznetsov, 31, entered the program. Teams are not told details of a player's absence because of confidentiality rules.