Evgeny Kuznetsov’s name has recently surfaced in offseason rumors, following his agent’s revelation that multiple teams have discussed bringing the Russian center back to the NHL next season. Kuznetsov is an unrestricted free agent after terminating his contract in the KHL with SKA Saint Petersburg.
Given his close relationship with Kuznetsov for over a decade on the Washington Capitals, captain Alex Ovechkin was asked by Gazeta.ru’s Victoria Alekseeva about a potential reunion for Kuznetsov with the Caps. Kuznetsov played parts of 11 seasons with the Capitals before being traded to the Carolina Hurricanes at the 2024 trade deadline.
“Can Evgeny return to Washington? This is not a question for me, but for his agent,” Ovechkin told Alekseeva, as translated via Google Translate. “He has his own head on his shoulders. God willing, he signs a contract with a club and shows his level either in the NHL or the KHL.”
Kuznetsov, a 2018 Stanley Cup champion with the Capitals, posted just 24 points (8g, 16a) in 63 games during his last season in the NHL. He fared better in his lone season for SKA, recording 37 points (12g, 25a) in 39 games, but also struggled with two separate concussions.
The 33-year-old pivot has seemingly spent most of his summer in the DC area, hanging out with former Capitals teammate Alex Alexeyev. He was also spotted earlier this week playing beer league hockey at MedStar Capitals Iceplex, his former practice rink with the Caps.
While Kuznetsov remains close with Ovechkin and has expressed his admiration for Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery, his Capitals tenure didn’t exactly have a fairytale ending. He was healthy scratched, entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, was waived, assigned to the AHL’s Hershey Bears, and eventually dealt to the Hurricanes.
“I’m not a manager. This is business, this is the NHL,” Ovechkin said. “Everyone understands that there might be some trades. But we’ll see. Washington’s scouts and general manager are some of the best. They evaluate whether a player is right for us.”
While the Capitals have shown interest in acquiring another forward this summer, general manager Chris Patrick emphasized in May that the team would like to continue moving in a younger direction. Kuznetsov, 33, would not represent a great option on that front.
Kuznetsov’s agent, Shumi Babaev, previously indicated that he believes Kuznetsov will find a contract resolution by early August and that a return to DC is not a priority. He has also said that the veteran forward is not interested in signing a professional tryout agreement.
