Evgeny Kuznetsov spoke to (more than) 10 NHL clubs this summer

Dose
Crédit: SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - 2024/12/19: Evgeny Kuznetsov, known as Yevgeni Kuznetsov (92) and Ivan Demidov (91) SKA Hockey Club seen in action during the Hockey match, Kontinental Hockey League 2024/2025 between SKA Saint Petersburg and Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod at the SKA Arena. (Final score; SKA Saint Petersburg 6:4 Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod). (Photo by Maksim Konstantinov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Evgeny Kuznetsov spent the last year in the KHL, playing with Ivan Demidov and others, and had a good season with 37 points (12 goals) in 39 games.But the 33-year-old is looking to make a return to the NHL after a year in Russia. Will he be back in North America for the next campaign? That’s the question, but what we do know(according to RMNB) is that he has been talking to NHL clubs. Kuznetsov has been in contact with “more than” 10 teams on the Bettman circuit, but has not yet signed a contract.Is the Canadiens one of them?

[content-ads] I wonder what role he’d like to play in the NHL.

Because let’s not forget one thing: in his last full season in North America, Kuznetsov wasn’t the player he once was.He collected 24 points (only eight goals) in 63 games with the Capitals and Hurricanes, and it didn’t turn out the way he’d hoped.

I have another question: did a year in Russia allow him to regain the confidence of a guy who was producing at an average rate of 65 points per season between 2015 and 2022?Hmm…Talent-wise, there’s no doubt. Kuznetsov has the vision, he has the offensive flair and he has the talent to produce like a good NHL player.But maybe, at 33, he’s slowed down too… I can’t wait to see if a National League club will decide to offer him a contract for the next campaign. Because maybe he could help a team as a last-minute solution…

[spacer title=’Overtime’] – He looks happy.

– Bang!

– Oh no?