Almost exactly one year ago the Capitals signed Maximilian Kammerer to a two-way, three-year contract. On Tuesday, the Athletic’s Chris Kuc reported that the Capitals have placed Kammerer on unconditional waivers, meaning his contract with the Capitals’ organization can be terminated.

The undrafted German forward played with the Capitals’ AHL affiliate the Hershey Bears for the 2018-19 season. He registered only four goals and nine assists over the course of 33 games, missing a significant amount of games due to injury and healthy scratches, and was not called up to the Capitals during the regular season of playoffs.

Before being signed by the Capitals, Kammerer was the 2016-17 rookie of the year for the German league, Deutsche Eishockey Liga. In 2017-18 he was the second leading scorer for his former team, Düsseldorfer EG.

Source: Capitals place AHL Hershey forward Maximilian Kammerer on unconditional waivers.

— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) April 30, 2019

According to an article on the German site Eishockey NEWS, as translated by friend of the blog Sonja Beinert, it was Kammerer who requested the dissolution of his Capitals contract.

“There is lots of fluctuation in the team,” Kammerer said. “Maybe that’s why we can’t get more consistent. And sometimes you play a lot, then you sit out again–without much of an explanation. One evening your line plays great, the next night all lines will be switched up. That happens. But I can deal with that.”

The lack of playing time has been a factor in other German players’ decision to return home. Yasin Ehliz, a prospect for the Calgary Flames, returned to his former team in Germany after only being played for four games with their AHL affiliate the Stockton Heat. Ehliz’s former team, the Nürnberg Ice Tigers, was unprepared for his return and he now plays for Red Bull Munich.

Kammerer’s return would be much simpler as he has one year left on his contract with his former team Düsseldorfer EG. If Kammerer asked to be put on waivers, it was still up to the Capitals whether or not they would release him from his three-year deal. The Capitals are currently at their 50-contract limit for the 2018-19 season, meaning this would give them leeway to make moves if they wished.

Headline photo: Capitals