Alex Ovechkin has weighed in on Evgeny Kuznetsov’s anticipated departure from the NHL and return to Russia’s KHL, following Kuznetsov’s mutual contract termination with the Carolina Hurricanes. Ovechkin, who participated in the “Match of the Year” featuring top NHL and KHL Russian stars, discussed Kuznetsov’s situation in an interview with Match TV’s Pavel Lysenkov.
Kuznetsov, after a brief stint with the Hurricanes post-trade from the Washington Capitals, is expected to rejoin the KHL. Ovechkin, reflecting on Kuznetsov’s future, said, “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 had a notable career with the Capitals, contributing 568 points (171 goals, 397 assists) over 723 games and leading the team in scoring during their 2018 Stanley Cup victory. Despite these achievements, Kuznetsov’s tenure in the NHL was marred by personal challenges, including a suspension in 2019 and time in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance program.
Ovechkin highlighted the close bond they share, noting his support during Kuznetsov’s struggles. “He’s in a difficult situation now, you know,” Ovechkin commented. “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.”
Reports suggest that Kuznetsov is set to sign a four-year contract with SKA Saint Petersburg. His agent, Shumi Babaev, confirmed on Telegram that Kuznetsov will indeed return to the KHL. Roman Rotenberg, a prominent figure in Russian hockey, has also indicated that Kuznetsov’s return is imminent.
Kuznetsov first considered a KHL return in 2017 when negotiating his extension with the Capitals, with SKA acquiring his KHL rights from Traktor Chelyabinsk. Now, it appears that his transition back to Russia is set to become a reality.