The Washington Capitals placed struggling forward Brooks Laich on waivers Saturday, a move that gives the NHL's top team some potential flexibility.

Laich is the organization's longest-tenured player but has just one goal and six assists. He is in the midst of a 47-game goal drought.

The 32-year-old has one year left on his contract at a salary-cap hit of $4.5 million. If Laich clears waivers and is assigned to the American Hockey League, the Capitals would get $950,000 in cap space and the team could keep him on the active roster and in the lineup. Washington would be able to send him to the AHL's Hershey Bears at any point over the next 30 days if they add salary at the deadline or when injured defenseman John Carlson returns after a lower-body injury.

—Associated Press