The Washington Capitals waived forward Brendan Leipsic on Friday after screenshots of misogynistic, offensive, and vulgar comments he made in a group chat on Instagram circulated the internet on Wednesday.

The screenshots included insults directed at his teammates Garnet Hathaway and Nic Dowd, disparaging comments about multiple women (including another National Hockey League player’s wife), and talk of enjoying “fresh powder,” a reference to cocaine, among other remarks. The 25 year old made the comments over direct messages with his brother, Jeremy, Florida Panthers prospect Jack Rodewald, and other hockey players. It’s unclear who leaked the chat.

While Leipsic apologized for his comments on Twitter, saying his “friend’s Instagram was hacked,” the Capitals announced the decision to place him on unconditional waivers on Friday. That essentially means the team plans to release the player from his contract, giving other NHL teams the option of picking him up. If no team does, the player can be assigned to a minor league team.

After the screenshots were leaked on Wednesday, the Caps said in a statement that the organization was aware of the “unacceptable and offensive comments” and would handle the matter internally. The NHL made a statement of its own, condemning the players’ “misogynistic and reprehensible remarks.”

When pressed for details, the Capitals organization declined to comment on how the decision was made, or how the screenshots were leaked and verified.

Washington Post beat writer Samantha Pell notes that “once the Capitals confirmed Leispic’s remarks were his, and the organization did their due diligence, they decided Leipsic’s actions were completely unacceptable and no longer wanted to be associated with the player” The team looked at it “as a no brainer,” Pell writes.

Leipsic, a left winger and noted journeyman, signed a one-year, $700,000 deal with the Capitals in July.