Capitals waive former first-round pick

The Washington Capitals have placed defenseman Lucas Johansen on waivers. The 26-year-old has played in six games with Washington this season, recording one assist, four penalty minutes and a +1.

Johansen made the Capitals roster out of training camp, his first time spending all season with the top club. He spent most of last season with the AHL’s Hershey Bears where he recorded one goal, seven points, and a -5 through 40 games. He also received a pair of NHL games, although he failed to make any changes to his stat line. Johansen did however manage to record one assist in his NHL debut in the 2021-22 season, although the defenseman is still searching for his first NHL goal. The Capitals drafted Johansen 28th overall in the 2016 NHL Draft, taking him ahead of a Second Round that has since produced 10 different players who have played in 200 or more NHL games, including standout names like Alex DeBrincat, Samuel Girard, and Carter Hart.

Johansen going on waivers opens the door for the Capitals to sign Ethan Bear. Bear has been a popular free agent after returning from a shoulder injury suffered during the 2023 IIHF World Hockey Championship. Bear would require surgery, keeping him from signing a new contract despite being an unrestricted free agent throughout the summer. The 26-year-old defenseman appeared in 61 games with the Vancouver Canucks last season, recording 16 points, 25 penalty minutes, and a +6. The Capitals will become the fourth franchise that Bear has played for, if he signs with them, after also spending seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes and Edmonton Oilers.