Evgeny Kuznetsov is hoping to write a new chapter in his NHL story next season.
The 33-year-old forward’s agent, Shumi Babaev, announced on Telegram that Kuznetsov is no longer fielding contract offers from KHL teams and only wishes to return to North America for the 2025-26 campaign.
The two-time NHL All-Star is an unrestricted free agent after mutually terminating his contract with SKA Saint Petersburg this past April.
“From now on I represent the interests of Evgeny Kuznetsov in the National Hockey League,” Babaev writes. “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.”
Kuznetsov originally made his way back to the KHL after an initial mutual contract termination with the Carolina Hurricanes at the end of the 2023-24 season. The move back to Russia ended an 11-year stint in North America for Kuznetsov, spent primarily with the Washington Capitals.
Kuznetsov played just one season in the KHL with SKA, recording 37 points (12g, 25a) in 39 games. He missed a chunk of time during the year due to two separate concussions he suffered. Before Thursday’s news, Kuznetsov had reportedly been considering a return to his hometown team, Traktor Chelyabinsk. Previously, he was rumored to sign with Ak Bars Kazan.
“I made this decision, analyzed what he had in the KHL,” Babaev added to Legalbet’s Dmitry Bebyakin, as translated by 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 Evgeny 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.”
The end of Kuznetsov’s stint with SKA was tumultuous, as in addition to his two concussions, a report late in the season emerged that he was “extremely doubtful” to suit up again for the team. Shortly after, Kuznetsov had his locker removed from SKA’s locker room ahead of the playoffs.
Despite the confusing situation, Kuznetsov returned for the postseason and featured in SKA’s short Gagarin Cup playoff run. He notched three points (1g, 2a) in a six-game series loss to Dynamo Moscow.
NHL free agency opens early next week on Tuesday, July 1. Babaev refused to give away the names of any potentially interested teams, but did tell Championat’s Vladimir Laevsky that a return to the Capitals is not a priority.
“There is no such thing as priority being given to anyone,” Babaev told Laevsky. “We will look for a team that needs him. That is the most important thing.”
Kuznetsov recently returned to the DC area in June and has spent time with former Capitals teammate Alex Alexeyev.
Kuznetsov has 575 career NHL points (173g, 402a) in 743 career games with the Capitals and Hurricanes.
The 2018 Stanley Cup champion had just 24 points (8g, 16a) in 63 games during his final season in the league, which also saw him healthy scratched, enter the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, be waived, and assigned to the AHL’s Hershey Bears. At the trade deadline, he was dealt to the Hurricanes.
