Former Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov is still looking to return to the NHL, and despite returning to Russia earlier this week, he's still eyeing a contract in North America.
Kuznetsov's agent Shumi Babayev told sovsport.ru that the pivot is back in St. Petersburg just to pick up the rest of his things and continue moving, and that they aren't considering a return to SKA.
Babayev said that Kuznetsov is still looking for an NHL contract, but that if nothing comes up, they will consider options in the KHL.
"That's exactly why I understand that if something falls through in the NHL, there will definitely be a club in the KHL that will be happy to have Kuznetsov on its roster,” Babaev told MatchTV.
The 33-year-old is coming off an up-and-down year in the KHL with SKA, where he had 37 points in 39 games while dealing with injury and coaching complications. He and SKA mutually terminated their contract, which he signed after terminating his NHL deal at the end of the 2023-24 season.
Kuznetsov remains one of the top available free agents on the market late in the summer and has been spending a good amount of time in D.C., making cameos in the local beer leagues and around the DMV. Babayev also told sportsdaily.ru that their camp is negotiating with teams and Kuznetsov is in touch with coaches.
The Russian spent 11 years with the Capitals, picking up 171 goals and 397 assists for 568 points before being traded to the Hurricanes, where he had six points in the final 20 games of the 2023-24 regular season.
Evgeny Kuznetsov’s NHL Comeback: A Story of Redemption and Opportunity
Despite his recent struggles, Kuznetsov remains a skilled playmaker with valuable experience. His agent has confirmed that he is in active talks with NHL teams and is willing to accept a low-salary contract with performance bonuses. This makes him an appealing option for teams needing depth at center, such as the Vancouver Canucks or Colorado Avalanche. Kuznetsov’s determination to return without a professional tryout reflects his confidence and desire to prove himself once more.
Supported by former teammate Alex Ovechkin, Kuznetsov’s comeback could be a powerful narrative of resilience. If given the right opportunity, he may yet reclaim his place among the NHL’s impactful forwards.
