On this week’s rendition of Hello Hockey with Shawn Belle and Tom Gazzola, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period spoke briefly about Evgeny Kuznetsov’s desire to return to the NHL. To ensure a return to the sport’s top league, Pagnotta indicated that Kuznetsov would be willing to sign a low AAV deal with performance bonuses.
It’s been a few years since Kuznetsov has been a highly relevant NHL center. He was a point-per-game scorer during the 2021-22 season with the Washington Capitals, recording 24 goals and 78 points in 79 games with a +7 rating, while averaging 20:17 of ice time per night.
Unfortunately, things began slipping the following season, as Kuznetsov finished the 2022-23 campaign with 12 goals and 55 points in 81 games with a -26 rating, seeing his average ice time drop to 18:04. It wasn’t necessarily bad production from a second-line center — but it was a far cry from what Kuznetsov had been able to do even a year earlier.
Things completely unraveled during the 2023-24 campaign. He had a dreadful start to the year with Washington, mustering six goals and 17 points in 43 games with a -11 rating. After spending a month in the NHL Player Assistance Program, the Capitals waived Kuznetsov in early March, sending him to their AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears, after clearing.
His time with the Capitals in late January of 2024 ended up being the last moments of his time with the team. Washington traded Kuznetsov to the Carolina Hurricanes at the trade deadline for a mid-round draft pick. He finished the year with two goals and seven points in 20 games for the Hurricanes, adding another four goals and six points in 10 postseason contests.
Having little desire to retain him for the 2024-25 campaign, Carolina placed Kuznetsov on unconditional waivers for a mutual termination of Kuznetsov’s contract, allowing the Chelyabinsk, Russia native to return home to continue his professional career. A few weeks later, Kuznetsov signed a four-year deal with the KHL’s SKA St. Petersburg.
There’s a decent chance some of his offensive value has been rebuilt after a strong year with St. Petersburg. Kuznetsov scored 12 goals and 37 points in 39 games with a +13 rating. Pursuing another chance in the NHL, Kuznetsov and SKA mutually parted ways in April, leaving us where we are now.
Although it seemed like a natural fit, it’s already been reported that the Montreal Canadiens wouldn’t pursue Kuznetsov this offseason, and they seemingly filled their need for center depth yesterday by signing Joe Veleno. Additionally, other reports have indicated that a reunion with the Capitals isn’t on the table.
After briefly looking through projected rosters for the 2025-26 season, and assuming Kuznetsov is open to a bottom-six role, the Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Philadelphia Flyers, and Pittsburgh Penguins could all use additional depth, especially at the center position.
I’d be stoked if the Devils signed him.
I will say Habs or Sharks (for potential deadline trade target)
He has previously been solid in the playoffs. So you’re right, he could be flipped at the deadline for a pick.
So many of these “Kuznetsov is willing to leave the KHL, return to the NHL, play for league minimum and be the team’s janitor on his off days” stories.
Does he owe the wrong people money over there?
They’d find him over here too
He probably doesn’t want to go on SKA mandated team runs at 5am in January during St. Petersburg winters anymore.
The janitors have the best nose medicine
Wouldn’t your joke make more sense that wealthy people have better “stuff” compared to the guys making minimum wage?
Yzerman should jump on this. Low risk, high reward. As Elliotte says, “always bet on talent” and this guy is one of the most talented players of this generation.
Dallas should grab him. Let him play with Wyatt Johnson on that 3rd line.
don’t see the sens as they are fairly deep up front. the avalanche could make sense and the rangers could use a 3rd line lottery ticket
Wouldn’t mind the blues picking him up
I also wouldn’t mind that either, but at the same time Sunny, Dvorsky, Buggy, and Pius Suter (depending on if he’ll be a winger) are going to be fighting to be the 3rd and 4th line centers.
Vancouver missing from the list is a strange tell, although Kuz has been on record for preferring the east coast…
I also agree he’s down for Eastbound.
I think VAN is already cap strapped though so I could see why they left VAN off the list. Unless they clear out a contract or two.
I could see Colorado having some interests maybe a contract like Burns received?
When is the last time he showed signs of stability? Difficult bet to make, unless he does a PTO.