Evgeny Kuznetsov spoke for the first time since leaving the Washington Capitals — the only NHL team he’s ever known — on Friday. Traded earlier in the day by the Brian MacLellan for a third-round pick, Kuznetsov made his Carolina Hurricanes debut at the team’s practice at Invisalign Arena, arriving midway through the skate.
Kuznetsov, who was selected by the Capitals in the first round of the 2010 NHL Draft, sat down and took questions with Hurricanes media afterward at his new locker. While he craved a fresh start for several years, the Russian centerman could be seen fighting back tears while speaking of his time in Washington. He seemed happy that his wish was finally granted but sad about what he was leaving behind.
“Not much I can understand right now, it’s all emotions and stuff like that,” Kuznetsov said. “But you know, I want to say thanks to the whole Caps organization, and the fans. It was 11 years. Both of my kids born there. That city is massive chunk of my heart. Unfortunately I had to leave that way on that note, but it’s life. No regrets in my life and I’m going to remember for rest of my life my time there. It was amazing. Amazing memories: bad, good. All kinds of memories.
“I’m happy to be here and new chapter in my life. It’s something that I was looking for. Perfect match for me. The guys been welcome so far. Orly’s been bad to me but I’ll make him straight.”
Part of the fantastic fit with the Hurricanes is due to his close friendship with Dmitry Orlov. Opponents in the KHL and teammates on Russia’s World Junior Championship teams, Kuznetsov and Orlov went on to play eight seasons together in Washington, beginning in March 2014. During that time, the two became very close and would spend a lot of their free time together. During the Capitals’ bye week, Kuznetsov even spent time with Orlov in Miami, FL.
“I’ve known him since 16-years-old,” Kuznetsov said. “We play together, we were roommates together. We spend a lot of good days and bad days together. Our families tight. Our parents tight. It was meant to be here. It’s perfect match for me and what I was looking for.”
Kuznetsov also joins fellow Russians Andrei Svechnikov (forward) and Pyotr Kochetkov (goaltender) on the team.
“They know me more than I know them probably,” Kuznetsov said. “They read the internet these days. I hope I’ll change the thing they think about me and I can help the team.”
Ahead of the trade deadline, the Hurricanes also acquired defenseman Ty Smith and top-six winger Jake Guentzel from the Pittsburgh Penguins as general manager Don Waddell is making an aggressive play for the Stanley Cup this season. Kuznetsov revealed that he had no beef with the 29-year-old forward despite him being a major part of the Capitals-Penguins rivalry.
“He was actually a nice guy,” Kuznetsov said. “I play with him at All-Star Game. He’s nice guy. He never said anything bad to me during games. He probably afraid of me. He doesn’t know what to expect from the Russian guy. I was really pumped to hear that he’s coming here especially with all the additions they got.”
A few questions later, when asked about what he think it’d be like to play under Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour, Kuznetsov said that he previously did so at the 2022 NHL All-Star Game, where his Metropolitan Division emerged victorious.
“That’s when he probably realized he needs those two guys on his team,” Kuznetsov said cackling. “That All-Star Game.”
Kuznetsov has not played in an NHL game since January 27 where he registered two assists against the Dallas Stars. The Capitals dispersed for the bye week and All-Star break and when Kuznetsov returned, he immediately entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.
“I made a lot of mistakes in my life before,” Kuznetsov said. “I was never running away from [them] in the past. I never regret all of those. I think it’s amazing life, learning point. I learn a lot. This is my last opportunity. This is my last chance. Everything is in my power right now. There’s nothing outside coming. I’m pretty sure the guys are going to be supportive and help really and all of that stuff, but I need to perform on the ice.
“The best way to say sorry to the people is just play game and make a big impact in the game.”
Waddell said that the Hurricanes did their “due diligence” to make sure acquiring Kuznetsov was the right call.
“We talked to doctors,” Waddell said. “We got permission to talk to him. We interviewed the player himself, teammates, ex-coaches. Not sure there’s anything we didn’t do so we made sure we had all the facts and could make an educated decision on if we wanted to move forward. Once we had that information we made the decision to go. We thought this was a good risk to take.
“I’ll give credit to Justin Williams who played with him in Washington and has a good rapport with the player. We know how skilled he is. This year hasn’t gone as well as past years. But we’ve got him in time for practice and on the ice you can see his skill level that he brings. We think with the players we’re going to surround him with and the coaching staff, it’s not only a great culture but a great environment, if anybody’s going to have a chance to get him back to where he was — I mean his playoff stats have been outstanding — that we felt very comfortable that we could be the team to do that.”
Kuznetsov, wearing a bucket hat, later traveled with the Hurricanes on their flight to New Jersey where they will play the Devils on Saturday. The 2018 Stanley Cup champion was unsure he’d suit up.
“I’ll talk to coach,” Kuznetsov said. “One of my goals was to get here in time for the practice today. I went through some adversity this morning and you know, it’s something that I’m looking for. I need to get back. I haven’t played in a long time.”
Kuznetsov, who was put on waivers and optioned down to the Hershey Bears before the trade, left the AHL team in the morning and flew on a jet to Raleigh. He understands he needs to elevate his play after only posting posting 17 points (6g, 11a) in 43 games this season for the Capitals.
“There is high expectations, high standards,” Kuznetsov said. “I haven’t been playing the way that I have to play lately. I accept that. I’m working on that. That’s not something that I’m happy about.”
