The Washington Capitals waived long-time center Evgeny Kuznetsov on Saturday afternoon. The move sparked several questions, including what the plan would be for Kuznetsov should he clear waivers on Sunday.
Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan met with the media just minutes after the news was announced. MacLellan confirmed that if Kuznetsov goes unclaimed, the plan would be to send him to the team’s AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears.
Kuznetsov has never previously played in the AHL, jumping straight to the Capitals from the KHL during the 2013-14 season. The Bears are the AHL’s top team this season with a remarkable 41-9-3 record under the command of head coach Todd Nelson.
“I think it’s about a fresh start for Kuzy, first of all,” MacLellan said. “I think he’s been looking for a change in environment and this might set the wheels in motion for that to be accomplished.”
Kuznetsov holds a $7.8 million cap hit for this season and the next before becoming an unrestricted free agent. MacLellan added that the Capitals would be open to retaining salary on his deal to facilitate a move elsewhere.
Uncertainty has surrounded Kuznetsov since March of last year when a Russian report from outlet Match TV dropped saying that the Russian pivot had requested a trade from the team for consecutive seasons. A report, that was later never directly denied by Kuznetsov and confirmed by the Capitals in an article published by senior reporter Mike Vogel on the team’s website.
Multiple trusted reporters from around the league then dished that the Capitals were shopping Kuznetsov over the summer. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman divulged that the Caps and Nashville Predators had concrete trade discussions regarding Kuznetsov at the most recent NHL Draft. The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun added that the Capitals were likely to shop him around the league again this upcoming offseason.
“I spoke with him and his representatives,” MacLellan said Saturday. “I don’t know that they wanted this but this is a means to accomplish what they want. I think we have a history here that’s gone on for a while and I think it’s frustrating on both sides. Just an opportunity for our side too, to start fresh and try to get him an opportunity to continue his career.”
To get back on the ice in a game capacity for any team, Kuznetsov first needs to complete the post-care process of the NHL/NHLPA’s Player Assistance Program. Kuznetsov entered the program in early February and was cleared to return to practice just hours before being waived by the Capitals.
Despite clearly wanting to find Kuznetsov a new home, MacLellan also admitted that he could envision him playing for the Capitals again.
“I could [see that], yes,” MacLellan said. “I think he’s got to get some stuff in his personal life straightened out and I think playing wise, too. I think he needs to find the level that he’s accustomed to playing at. Going down there and working at it or playing in another organization.”
Kuznetsov has 17 points (6g, 11a) in 43 games this season. If he does report to Hershey, his cap number ($7.8 million) will be the largest the AHL has seen, conditioning stints notwithstanding, since Wade Redden ($6.5 million) was sent down by the New York Rangers in 2010.
