Centers Michael Sgarbossa and Luke Philp in addition to defenseman Ethan Bear cleared waivers on Saturday 24 hours after the Washington Capitals waived them. All three were loaned to the AHL’s Hershey Bears.
Bear, 26, tallied a goal, four points, -5 rating, .4537 five-on-five Corsi-for percentage, .4089 five-on-five expected goals-for percentage, and .4181 five-on-five scoring chances-for percentage in 24 games over his first season in Washington during the 2023-24 campaign after missing six months due to offseason shoulder surgery and signing a two-year contract that carries a $2.0625 million cap hit on December 28. He also did not play from March 14 onwards after entering the NHLPA’s Player Assistance Program.
Sgarbossa, 31, posted four goals, seven points, and a .511 five-on-five expected goals-for percentage in 25 NHL games. Sgarbossa also notched 36 assists and 43 points in 44 AHL games.
Philp, 28, amassed six points (two goals) and a +3 plus/minus rating over 15 regular-season games with the Rockford IceHogs (AHL) in the 2023-24 season, following an injury that sidelined him for the first 57 games. The Canmore, Alberta native appeared in three games with the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2022-23 season, recording one assist. Philp signed a one-year, two-way contract with Washington as an unrestricted free agent on July 2.
Washington will play their final preseason game on Saturday vs. the Boston Bruins (5 PM ET, Monumental Sports Network locally, NHL Network nationally), seven days before their regular-season opener against the New Jersey Devils.
The only player claimed was defenseman John Ludvig, who was picked up by the Colorado Avalanche after the Pittsburgh Penguins waived him.
All teams have until 5 PM ET on Monday to submit their final 23-man opening night rosters before the regular-season opens on Tuesday evening.
By Harrison Brown
