Kuznetsov and KHL club SKA St. Petersburg mutually agreed to terminate his contract, Sammi Silber of The Hockey News reports Tuesday.
Kuznetsov was in the first year of a four-year deal he signed with the Russian club back in July. In 39 appearances for SKA this year, the 32-year-old center registered 12 goals and 25 helpers before adding another three points in six postseason contests. This could open the door for Kuznetsov to make his NHL return next year -- though it's far from a lock that he finds a new NHL club.
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Evgeny Kuznetsov: Getting contract terminated
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Kuznetsov was put on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract, the Hurricanes announced Wednesday.
Kuznetsov had one season remaining on his eight-year, $62.4 million contract. When an NHL agreement is mutually terminated rather than bought out, the remaining cap hit and salary are erased from the books, which will save each of Carolina and Washington $3.9 million for the 2024-25 campaign. Kuznetsov struggled in 2023-24, finishing the regular season with eight goals and 24 points across 63 contests. He's likely to join the KHL's SKA St. Petersburg.
Kuznetsov potted the game-winning goal in Monday's 4-1 victory over New York in Game 5.
After being a healthy scratch in Game 2 of this series, Kuznetsov has now scored in consecutive contests to help keep Carolina's season alive. The 31-year-old forward drove to the net and buried a rebound off of a shot from Brady Skjei. It was Kuznetsov's fourth goal and sixth point of the postseason in nine outings. Kuznetsov and the Hurricanes will be at home Thursday night for Game 6 against the Rangers in another potential elimination game.
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Hurricanes' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Nets goal in win
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Kuznetsov scored a goal on three shots in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Rangers in Game 4.
The tally was Kuznetsov's first point in three appearances in the second round. He was scratched in Game 2, and he continues to play in a bottom-six role, though he's also maintained a power-play assignment. The center has three goals, two assists, 13 shots on net, five hits and a plus-1 rating over eight playoff outings despite increasingly limited ice time -- he saw just 8:38 in Saturday's win.
Although an initial report suggested Kuznetsov was unavailable for Tuesday's Game 2 versus the Rangers because of an undisclosed injury, he is actually a healthy scratch for the contest, per Tom Gulitti of NHL.com
Kuznetsov took a bad penalty in Game 1 on Sunday that led to a goal in what was ultimately a 4-3 loss to the Rangers, which is likely why he's out of the lineup Tuesday. The 31-year-old has two goals and four points in six playoff contests this year while averaging a modest 11:37 of ice time. Max Comtois drew into the lineup for Game 2 due to Kuznetsov being scratched.
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Hurricanes' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Not playing in Game 2
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Kuznetsov (undisclosed) won't play Tuesday in Game 2 versus the Rangers, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.
Kuznetsov has two goals and two assists in six games this postseason. He will be replaced in the lineup by Max Comtois.
Kuznetsov collected a goal and an assist Tuesday in a 6-3 win over the Islanders in Game 5.
The 31-year-old center scored on a penalty shot midway through the first period. He then helped set up a Stefan Noesen tally early in the third. Kuznetsov was productive against the Isles, producing two two-point performances in five games despite skating in a bottom-six role, but his main value to the Hurricanes came at the faceoff dot -- he won nine of his 12 draws Tuesday.
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Hurricanes' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Pair of points in win
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Kuznetsov netted a power-play goal on two shots and added an assist in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Islanders in Game 1.
Kuznetsov opened the scoring just 1:35 into the first period and added a helper on Stefan Noesen's game-winner in the third. The 31-year-old Kuznetsov ended the regular season with just two assists over his last 13 outings, resulting in him dropping to a bottom-six role to begin the playoffs. He had 24 points across 63 appearances in the regular season, by far his worst full campaign, but he could be a key depth scorer if the Hurricanes go on a deep run.
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Hurricanes' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Continues to shine with new team
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Kuznetsov snapped a four-game pointless streak with an assist in Thursday's 4-0 win over the Red Wings.
Considering he was put on waivers by the Capitals prior to being dealt to the Hurricanes at the trade deadline, Kuznetsov has really managed to resurrect his season, and possibly his career, since his arrival in Raleigh. He now has six points (two goals, four assists) in nine games with his new team, and he's provided the Canes with valuable depth scoring while playing on the third line with Martin Necas and Jordan Martinook.
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Hurricanes' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Pots first goal with new team
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Kuznetsov scored his seventh goal of the season in Thursday's 4-0 win over the Panthers.
The long-time Capital picked up his first goal, and first point, as a member of the Hurricanes midway through the second period, getting the puck with tons of open space around him before picking his spot against Sergei Bobrovsky. Kuznetsov has been centering a talented line with Martin Necas and fellow newcomer Jake Guentzel at even strength while skating on Carolina's first power-play unit, so points could begin to come in bunches for the 31-year-old now that he's beginning to get comfortable in his new surroundings.
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Hurricanes' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Set to play Saturday
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Kuznetsov (personal) will make his Hurricanes debut Saturday against New Jersey, per Cory Lavalette of the North State Journal.
Kuznetsov, who was on non-roster injured reserve, hasn't played since Jan. 27 because he was in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. He had six goals and 17 points in 43 contests with Washington before being traded to Carolina on Friday. It remains to be seen exactly how the Hurricanes will utilize him, but Kuznetsov will likely serve in a middle-six role versus the Devils.
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Hurricanes' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Carolina bound
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Kuznetsov was traded to Carolina from Washington in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick Friday, Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reports. The Capitals will retain 50 percent of Kuznetzov's $7.8 million annual salary.
Kuznetsov is currently in the follow-up care phase of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. He had six goals and 11 assists in 43 games with the Capitals before the trade. The 31-year-old will likely line up as a middle-six center with the Hurricanes once he clears the last phase of his rehabilitation. Kuznetsov joined the Canes for practice Friday, per Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site.
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Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Put on waivers
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Kuznetsov (personal) was put on waivers Saturday, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.
Kuznetsov had six goals and 17 points in 43 contests this season before entering the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program on Feb. 5. He received clearance to resume practicing with the Capitals on Saturday prior to ending up on waivers. Kuznetsov comes with a $7.8 million cap hit through the 2024-25 campaign, so he's unlikely to be claimed. GM Brian MacLellan said the decision to waive Kuznetsov was about providing the the 31-year-old forward with a fresh start, according to Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press, so the plan is presumably to send him to AHL Hershey if he clears.
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Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Cleared to practice
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Kuznetsov (personal) was cleared to practice Saturday by the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.
Kuznetsov, who entered the program Feb. 5, is now in the follow-up care phase. As a result, he has not been cleared to play in games yet. Kuznetsov has six goals and 11 assists in 43 contests this season.
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Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Enters Player Assistance Program
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Kuznetsov (personal) entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program on Monday.
Kuznetsov will take an indefinite leave of absence while he seeks treatment from the Player Assistance Program for an undisclosed issue. The 31-year-old forward has posted six goals, 17 points and a minus-11 rating in 43 games this season.
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Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Two helpers Saturday
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Kuznetsov notched two assists, one on the power play, in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Stars.
The two helpers Saturday matched his entire point total from the 10 games prior. Kuznetsov has had a rough season so far, with six goals and 17 points in 43 contests, but he's still seeing power-play time and could work his way back into a top-six role at even strength if he shows more consistency after the All-Star break.
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Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Two-point effort in loss
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Kuznetsov picked up a goal and an assist in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Devils.
Both points came in the second period as the Capitals rallied from an early 3-1 deficit, but the game was all Devils after that. Kuznetsov snapped a 10-game point drought with the performance, and on the season the 31-year-old has stumbled to a disappointing six goals and 13 points through 32 contests.
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Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Out for Thursday's game
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Kuznetsov (illness) won't play Thursday versus the Flyers.
Kuznetsov will miss at least one game due to the illness. The 31-year-old had two points over his last three games. With Kuznetsov out, Matthew Phillips is expected to be in the lineup Thursday.
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Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Scores in return to lineup
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Kuznetsov scored a goal on two shots in Thursday's 5-4 shootout loss to Dallas.
Kuznetsov was a healthy scratch in Washington's last game versus Arizona after tallying just one point in his prior six games. The veteran winger made an impact in his return Thursday, finishing a breakaway in the second period to put the Caps ahead 3-1. Kuznetsov now has five goals and 10 points through 20 games this season after posting 55 points (12 goals, 43 assists) last year.
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Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Set to draw back into lineup
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Kuznetsov is expected to draw into the Capitals' lineup Thursday versus Dallas after being a healthy scratch Monday against Arizona, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.
Kuznetsov has four goals and nine points in 19 games this season, which puts him on pace to fall short of the 55 points in 81 outings he provided in 2022-23. He's also been quiet recently with just one point (a goal) over his last six appearances. Kuznetsov will attempt to break out of his slump Thursday while likely serving on the second line and second power-play unit. Sonny Milano might be a healthy scratch after dressing in Washington's previous 14 contests.
