UPDATE, 12:15 PM: Despite earlier reports that the Caps would waive Dmitrij Jaskin, the team has placed Devante Smith-Pelly on waivers instead. This story has been updated to reflect the changes. We have reached out to the team for comment. The original story appears below.

The Washington Capitals are beginning to prepare their roster ahead of the trade deadline.

Forward Devante Smith-Pelly has been placed on waivers.

Smith-Pelly has four goals and four assists in 54 games this season. Last summer he signed a one-year contract worth one million dollars.

Tuesday, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that the Capitals are looking for their Michal Kempny 2.0 and perhaps are taking a look at acquiring former forward Marcus Johansson.

Original story follows:

Wednesday morning, Caps senior writer Mike Vogel announced that Dmitrij Jaskin was not at practice. The reason was that the fourth line forward is being placed on waivers at noon.

#Caps are on the ice for practice. I’m hearing Dmitrij Jaskin is not on the ice for practice today because he will be placed on waivers effective at noon today.

— Mike Vogel (@VogsCaps) February 20, 2019

Jaskin scored two goals and had six assists in 38 games with the team. He counts $1.1 million against team’s salary cap. Jaskin is the team’s least used forward.

The Russian born player was recently benched by Todd Reirden due to a stick penalty.

Tuesday, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that the Capitals are looking for their Michal Kempny 2.0 and perhaps are taking a look at acquiring former forward Marcus Johansson.

Headline photo: Cara Bahniuk