Photo credit: RIA Novosti, Vladimir Pesnya

R-Sport’s Alyona Shilova talked to Evgeny Kuznetsov about… you guessed it: heading to the NHL. Kuznetsov reveals that Washington has made an offer to him, but he has not responded.

Alyona Shilova: How do you feel? Is it possible to grow professionally here, in the KHL?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: Yes, that’s a very good level. Possibly our league will be on the same level as the NHL soon.

Alyona Shilova: During the playoffs you said you’ve made the decision regarding your future: you will stay for one more year… Has anything changed or you said it not to get asked this question for some time?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: I wanted people to leave me alone for some time. You get tired of that. April 30th [KHL qualifying offers deadline] will come. Traktor will have to make me an offer, and we’ll see then. There’s no talks about that yet. I can’t do anything yet, I can only think, dream and talk about it all the time with everybody.

Alyona Shilova: Are Capitals active trying to get you to come?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: It’s not like they call me every day. It’s pretty quiet. They’ve made an offer, a contract, and are waiting for my answer. I didn’t make any promises. We just talked. Now we all wait for the end of the season.

Alyona Shilova: But have you made a decision for yourself?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: Not that I’ve made decision… (pause) I feel differently every day. I’m still thinking.

Alyona Shilova: Have you talked to [Traktor’s head coach Valery] Belousov about it? He thinks you need to stay for one more year.

Evgeny Kuznetsov: We haven’t talked. We’ve decided to wait till the season is over.

Alyona Shilova: Is it important for you if Belousov will stay with Traktor or not? Will it affect the decision?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: Of course. If he stays, that’s a huge plus.

Alyona Shilova: Can you imagine yourself in another Russian club?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: I think everything’s possible. Everything will depend on me, on my wish, where I want to be.