Evgeny Kuznetsov revealed his interest in an NHL comeback through his agent, Shumi Babaev, before free agency at the end of June. The 33-year-old forward spent just one season away from the league in the KHL, terminating a multi-year contract with SKA Saint Petersburg this past April.
Despite reported interest from the Montreal Canadiens and a few other teams, Kuznetsov has yet to find an NHL suitor more than two weeks into the free agency process. Babaev gave the most recent update on his client’s search for a new home to Match TV’s Stepan Karpushin on Wednesday.
“Options are emerging, negotiations are ongoing, but I can’t give any specifics yet,” Babaev said, as translated via Google Translate.
Babaev added that Kuznetsov is not going to be picky about a landing spot, not needing the team to be in immediate contention for a Stanley Cup. “There is no such talk now, there is simply a desire to find a team where he will be needed,” he said.
Kuznetsov originally made his way back to the KHL after an initial mutual contract termination with the Carolina Hurricanes at the end of the 2023-24 season. The move back to Russia ended an 11-year stint in North America for Kuznetsov, spent primarily with the Washington Capitals.
In his one season with SKA, Kuznetsov recorded 37 points (12g, 25a) in 39 games. He missed a chunk of time during the year due to suffering two separate concussions, and the end of his stint with the club was tumultuous. In addition to his two concussions, a report late in the season emerged that he was “extremely doubtful” to suit up for SKA again and later had his locker removed ahead of the playoffs.
“I talk to [NHL] teams all the time,” Babaev told Mikhail Zilis earlier this week. “Every day I talk to two or three clubs, feel out what’s going on, some signings. [Kuznetsov] is now motivated to come back, to show what he is capable of. We need to guess with the coach and the team. It’s not about money. So I think there will be a team.
“At the same time, I understand that there are options in the KHL. Teams are asking whether he will return or not. So far, I say no. I hope that our idea of a return will take place and he will continue his career.”
Kuznetsov has seemingly spent his summer in the United States, first hanging out with his former Washington Capitals teammate, Alex Alexeyev, in the DC area. He later went on vacation and threw on Ilya Samsonov’s goalie gear while skating in South Florida and was spotted playing beer league hockey at MedStar Capitals Iceplex on Wednesday.
While there is no immediate deadline for Kuznetsov to find a new team, he’ll likely want a resolution before NHL teams begin their training camps. Babaev has already stated that Kuznetsov is not interested in signing a professional tryout agreement.
“There is no great difficulty. The decision was simply made a little later than it could have been,” Babaev told RIA Novosti. “Because of this, the whole scheme is turned upside down, because many clubs have outlined their goals. We need to wait and understand what exactly this or that club has in mind. But I am sure that there will be no problems with the contract.
“The financial issue is not in the first place. We understand that our request is absolutely relevant for the situation Evgeny is in. I see that there are options and interest. I think that clarity will come at the end of July or the beginning of August.”
Kuznetsov, a 2018 Stanley Cup champion with the Capitals, has recorded 575 career NHL points (173g, 402a) in 743 career games with the Caps and Hurricanes. In his last NHL season, the 2023-24 campaign, he posted just 24 points (8g, 16a) in 63 games.
