Capitals’ Vrana, Panthers’ Puljujarvi placed on waivers

The Washington Capitals placed forward Jakub Vrana on waivers Wednesday, two days before the NHL’s trade deadline.

Vrana has 11 points (seven goals and four assists) in 26 games with the Capitals. The 29-year-old from Prague, Czechia, signed a one-year contract with Washington in October, rejoining the franchise that drafted him 13th overall in 2014.

He spent the first five seasons of his career with the Capitals and captured the Stanley Cup in 2018.

Washington traded Vrana to the Detroit Red Wings in April 2021. He entered the player assistance program in October 2022. After he was cleared to return, Vrana was placed on waivers and sent to the minors. He was traded to the St. Louis Blues in March 2023.

Vrana split last season between the Blues and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds.

He has 220 points (117 goals and 103 assists) in 393 career games with the Capitals, Red Wings and Blues.

Boston Bruins defenceman Jordan Oesterle, Detroit Red Wings forward Christian Fischer and newly signed Florida Panthers forward Jesse Puljujarvi were also put on waivers Wednesday.

Puljujarvi had nine points (three goals and six assists) in 26 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins this season but had his contract terminated by the team last month.

Oesterle has one goal and five assists in 22 games with the Bruins this season. He also has three goals and five assists in nine games with the AHL’s Providence Bruins.

Fischer recorded one goal and six assists in 45 games with the Red Wings this season.

Meanwhile, Tampa Bay Lightning forwards Cameron Atkinson and Logan Brown cleared waivers.

Atkinson signed a one-year contract with the Lightning in July after he was bought out by the Philadelphia Flyers. The 35-year-old veteran registered eight points (three goals and five assists) in 37 games.

Brown, who has yet to suit up with the Lightning this season, has 19 points (seven goals and 12 assists) in 25 games with the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch.