With just over 24 hours before they have to submit their final opening night rosters to the NHL, the Washington Capitals have made one cut, placing goaltender Hunter Shepard on waivers. Shepard will be assigned to the AHL's Hershey Bears if he clears.

For the Capitals, putting Bear waivers is a way of clearing cap space in order to help them optimize their salary cap and stay compliant while placing T.J. Oshie on long-term injured reserve. Oshie joins Nicklas Backstrom on LTIR.

Following Washington Capitals practice on Friday, it was announced that defenseman Ethan Bear and forward Michael Sgarbossa were placed on waivers. Bear signed a two-year contract with the Capitals on December 28,