Hurricanes' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Continues to shine with new team
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Hurricanes' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Two more points Sunday
Rotowire
Kuznetsov recorded a goal and an assist in Sunday's 7-2 win over the Senators.
Kuznetsov put the Hurricanes ahead 2-1 early in the second period with a power-play marker, beating Anton Forsberg with a wrister from the circle, before adding an assist on a Dmitry Orlov tally in the third. The 31-year-old Kuznetsov has looked like his old self in Carolina, picking up two goals and four points in his last three contests. He's up to 21 points (eight goals, 13 assists) through 49 games this season between the Hurricanes and Capitals.
... See More... See Less
Hurricanes' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Pots first goal with new team
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Hurricanes' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Set to play Saturday
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Hurricanes' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Carolina bound
Rotowire
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.
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.
... See More... See Less
Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Cleared to practice
Rotowire
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.
Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Enters Player Assistance Program
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Not skating Monday
Rotowire
Kuznetsov (personal) did not take part in Monday's practice, Bailey Johnson of The Washington Post reports.
Kuznetsov's availability for Tuesday's home game against Montreal has yet to be determined, but the Capitals recalled Michael Sgarbossa from AHL Hershey to potentially cover any absence. The 31-year-old Kuznetsov has had a very disappointing campaign with just six goals and 17 points in 43 games and is far from a reliable fantasy asset these days.
... See More... See Less
Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Two helpers Saturday
Rotowire
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.
Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Two-point effort in loss
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Good to go
Rotowire
Kuznetsov (illness) will return to the lineup Saturday versus Nashville, according to Robby Stanley of NHL.com.
Kuznetsov is good to play after a one-game absence. He has registered five goals, 11 points and 46 shots on net through 22 outings this season.
... See More... See Less
Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Out for Thursday's game
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Scores in return to lineup
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Set to draw back into lineup
Rotowire
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.
Kuznetsov will be a healthy scratch Monday against Arizona, according to Bailey Johnson of The Washington Post.
Kuznetsov only has one goal in his past six outings. The 31-year-old forward has struggled this season, picking up four goals and five assists over 19 appearances. Matthew Phillips will probably return to the lineup Monday after being scratched for the past two contests.
... See More... See Less
Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Deposits lone goal in Monday's loss
Rotowire
Kuznetsov scored a goal on two shots in Monday's 2-1 loss to the Sharks.
Kuznetsov was held off the scoresheet Friday in his return from a two-game absence due to an illness. He was able to get on the board Monday, but he was the only Capital to find the twine behind Mackenzie Blackwood in this contest. Kuznetsov is up to four goals, nine points, 41 shots on net and a minus-2 rating through 16 contests in a rather slow start to the campaign.
