Alex Ovechkin commented on Evgeny Kuznetsov’s departure from the NHL following the mutual termination of his contract with the Carolina Hurricanes. This move is expected to see Kuznetsov return to Russia’s KHL. Ovechkin shared his thoughts on this development shortly after participating in the “Match of the Year,” which featured top NHL and KHL Russian stars.
Kuznetsov’s stint with the Hurricanes was brief, marking his second and final NHL team after being traded from the Washington Capitals at the 2024 trade deadline. Reflecting on Kuznetsov’s future, Ovechkin told Match TV’s Pavel Lysenkov, “We’ll see, I just can’t say what his plans are. Every person has their own head on their shoulders. They’ll figure out what’s best for the family and make that decision.”
Kuznetsov, a 32-year-old forward, left the Capitals after 11 seasons, amassing 568 points (171 goals, 397 assists) in 723 games. He was instrumental in the Capitals’ 2018 Stanley Cup victory, leading the team in postseason scoring.
Addressing Kuznetsov’s current situation, Ovechkin said, “He’s in a difficult situation now, you know. We need to figure out where he’ll be playing. If he were here, he wouldn’t spoil the picture; on the contrary, he’d add to the show.”
The bond between Ovechkin and Kuznetsov has always been strong, with Ovechkin offering support during Kuznetsov’s early days in Washington and during his personal struggles, including a suspension in 2019 and a stay in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance program.
Kuznetsov has spoken fondly of his relationship with Ovechkin, stating, “I’m happy, we had an amazing relationship. There’s been a lot of good, bad days forever. But no matter what, he was always next to me. He was always one phone call away from me. He was a big part of my success in my career.”
Kuznetsov’s potential return to the KHL had been speculated since 2017, with SKA Saint Petersburg acquiring his KHL rights from Traktor Chelyabinsk for around one million dollars shortly before he re-signed with Washington.
Roman Rotenberg, general manager of the Russian national team and KHL board member, confirmed Kuznetsov’s return to Russia. “If Roman Borisovich said so, then so it will be,” Ovechkin remarked.
Kuznetsov’s agent, Shumi Babaev, also announced on his Telegram account that Kuznetsov will rejoin the KHL. “We have been working with Evgeny Kuznetsov for several years now. Now it is time to watch his magic live. In the near future, the Chelyabinsk wizard will sign a contract in the KHL, and we will delight you with highlights featuring him on a regular basis.”
Kuznetsov’s departure marks a significant loss for Rod Brind’Amour and the Hurricanes, as they navigate the challenges of losing a seasoned star.
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