Evgeny Kuznetsov wants to return to the NHL.
The Vancouver Canucks need a top-six centre.
, "Could I make it any more obvious?"
Let's back up a little bit. Kuznetsov last played in the NHL two seasons ago in 2023-24, when he faced some significant struggles. He had just 17 points in 43 games for the Washington Capitals and was bad enough that not only did the Capitals waive him, but he also cleared waivers and was reassigned to the AHL.
The Capitals subsequently traded Kuznetsov to the Carolina Hurricanes, retaining half of his $7.8 million cap hit. Kuznetsov underwhelmed in Carolina, putting up 13 points in 30 games across the regular season and the playoffs, with Kuznetsov even a healthy scratch for one postseason game.
The Hurricanes didn't pay even their half of the final year of Kuznetsov's contract and Kuznetsov was evidently done in the NHL, as they put him on waivers for the purposes of a mutually agreed upon contract termination. Kuznetsov cleared waivers again, and went home to Russia to play for SKA St. Petersburg on a four-year contract.
That seemed to be the end of Kuznetsov's NHL career. Except, Kuznetsov and SKA terminated his four-year contract in April after just one season in the KHL. And now, Kuznetsov's new agent says he wants to play in the NHL again.
"From now on, I represent the interests of Evgeny Kuznetsov in the National Hockey League," , who represents several Russian NHLers, in a post on Telegram. "Today, I have already spoken with a number of clubs about Evgeny's contract in the NHL. I have decided that next year, he will play in North America."
In an interview with Russian sports betting website LegalBet, .
"I made this decision, analyzed what he had in the KHL," said Babayev via Google Translate. "I have big questions about how he was used here and so on. Until December, he was one of the best players, and then the chaos began. It was mentally difficult for him. I think Evgeni did not have his last word in the NHL. He will be able to show himself better there. I think he has more potential in the NHL. What is Evgeny's opinion? We talked to him, I explained it to him, and he agreed with my arguments."
It's safe to say that Kuznetsov's return to the KHL did not go as planned. While he was one of the top players in the league in points per game, putting up 37 points in 39 games, it from a combination of factors, such as the way he was treated by fans. He also dealt with two concussions, and was reportedly dissatisfied with the standard of officiating when it came to hits to the head as compared to the NHL.
So, the reasons for avoiding Kuznetsov are numerous. His play has gone into a rapid decline in recent years, and he's always been inconsistent and often derelict in his defensive duties. His final season in the NHL was utterly disastrous, and he's had two contracts terminated in two different leagues within a calendar year. To top it off, he suffered two concussions this past season and has had concussion issues before.
But the Canucks are desperate. They need another top-six centre, and it wasn't that long ago that Kuznetsov fit that description. Just three seasons ago, Kuznetsov was a point-per-game centre, putting up 78 points in 79 games. In fact, there was a time when Kuznetsov was a legitimately elite playmaker, and he still has plenty of skill.
What a goal by Evgeny Kuznetsov 馃憦
Kuznetsov also has playoff experience, leading the playoffs in scoring with 32 points in 24 games en route to winning the 2018 Stanley Cup.
Is he still that player? Of course not. But the upside of a reclamation project is that they tend to come cheap.
Sure, the Hurricanes didn't want to pay even half of Kuznetsov's $7.8 million contract, but what if Kuznetsov was on a much cheaper one-year deal? What if he was motivated to prove he can still be a star in the NHL? What if he could slot in behind Elias Pettersson as a second-line centre and provide a boost to the power play at a bargain price?
The truth is, the Canucks need to take some big swings. They certainly , but that can't be their only home run cut.
If the Canucks can't find a top-six centre elsewhere in free agency and don't have the assets to acquire one via trade, taking a chance on Kuznetsov might be their only shot at getting what they need.
