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After trade from Capitals, Evgeny Kuznetsov flew on a jet to make Carolina Hurricanes practice

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Evgeny Kuznetsov waves in front of a jet
📸: @Canes/X

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The Washington Capitals traded Evgeny Kuznetsov to the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday, officially ending a tumultuous relationship between the two parties and one of the greatest runs by an individual player in franchise history.

Kuznetsov didn’t have far to go to report to his new NHL team. The two-time NHL All-Star was already in Charlotte, North Carolina when the news hit this morning, preparing for his first AHL game with the Hershey Bears later that night. The Bears face the Charlotte Checkers in a back-to-back Friday and Saturday at Bojangles Coliseum.

The first report of a possible Kuznetsov trade came from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman at 10:33 am.

According to the Bears, Kuznetsov did not participate in the team’s morning skate and departed Bojangles Coliseum around 10:45 am after saying his goodbyes to his minor-league teammates. A team staff member then drove Kuznetsov to Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

There the Hurricanes had a jet waiting for him.

According to public flight records, the Hurricanes’ leased plane was dispatched from Raleigh-Durham International Airport at 11:06 am and arrived at Charlotte at 11:43 am. Kuznetsov then took a happy photo for Hurricanes’ social media and jumped aboard. The plane took off from Charlotte at 12:13 pm and arrived in Raleigh at 12:43 pm, traveling the 161 miles in 30 minutes.

Kuznetsov did not make it on time for the start of Hurricanes’ practice at 1 pm, but did manage to get on the at Invisalign Arena ice nearly 20 minutes into the skate where he showed off his slo-mo shootout move.

According to Canes’ team reporter Walt Ruff, head coach Rod Brind’Amour paused practice to welcome Kuznetsov to the team. “They all let out a huge roar.”

Kuznetsov appeared very happy.

After the skate concluded, Kuznetsov reunited with close friend and fellow former Capital Dmitry Orlov for a photo. Andrei Svechnikov also joined in.

Kuznetsov will make his Hurricanes’ debut on Saturday, March 9 against the New Jersey Devils.

He will wear number 92 with the team.

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