Washington Capitals Shock Fans: Ethan Bear and Mike Sgarbossa Hit NHL Waivers trucc

The Washington Capitals placed three players, Ethan Bear, Mike Sgarbossa, and Luke Philp, on waivers Friday.

They are all now free to be claimed by any team over the next 24 hours. If they are not claimed, they will be free to join up with the AHL’s Hershey Bears at their Training Camp.

A portion of the news was first reported by PuckPedia and Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman confirmed the rest.

Bear entered this year’s camp competing for a spot on a crowded Capitals blue line after Washington brought in two top-four defensemen, Jakob Chychrun, and Matt Roy, over the offseason. Bear, along with Alex Alexeyev and Dylan McIlrath, was fighting for a depth spot on the team’s roster.

The 27-year-old defender played in three preseason games this fall, skating 63:22 of total ice time, which was second on the team. Washington struggled defensively in his five-on-five minutes, allowing four goals and holding a minus-5 differential in high-danger chances.

Bear returned to DC this fall after spending time away from the team last spring to receive treatment from the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. He played in 24 games for the Capitals last season, recording four points (1g, 3a), and has one year remaining on his contract at a $2.1 million cap hit.

Sgarbossa played in 25 games for the Capitals last season, amassing seven points (4g, 3a). He also saw 44 games for the Bears, departing to DC in February as Hershey’s leading scorer with 43 points (7g, 36a).

The 32-year-old forward was battling with Ivan Miroshnichenko, Jakub Vrana, and Andrew Cristall for the final open forward spots on Washington’s roster this fall. He played in four games this preseason, failing to get on the scoresheet with any points.

Philp signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Capitals in early July. He has been injured since the start of Training Camp.