Ex-Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov appears set to remain overseas, as his agent has said that he would prefer to remain in the Kontinental Hockey League.
Kuznetsov's agent Shumi Babayev told MatchTV that the 32-year-old pivot wants to continue to play in Russia, but is "considering all options."
"The priority for us is to stay in the KHL," Babayev said, per a DeepL translation. "But we're considering all options."
Kuznetsov, who had his NHL contract terminated last summer in order to sign a four-year deal with SKA St. Petersburg, came to terms with the club to mutually end his contract after putting up 37 points in 39 games while dealing with injury this past season. He is now a free agent.
Babayev added in an interview with Legalbet that Kuznetsov is not in a hurry to sign with a team just yet and that there are multiple options, and he has not completely ruled out a return to the NHL.
"There are several teams from the West and East. We're in negotiations. If there's an option in the National Hockey League, we'll also consider it," Babayev said.
Kuznetsov last played in the NHL in 2023-24, splitting time between the Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes.
After putting up just 17 points through the first 43 games of the season with Washington and going through the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, Kuznetsov was waived and assigned to the AHL's Hershey Bears. He was then traded to Caorlina, where had seven points in 20 regular-season games before adding six points in 10 playoff games.
Kuznetsov still has talent and upside that could land him an NHL job, though it seems more likely he remains back home after having left the league behind.
