Evgeny Kuznetsov has been out of action in the KHL for almost an entire month after taking a hit to the head from CSKA Moscow defenseman Vladislav Provolnev on Christmas day. Per Match TV’s Pavel Lysenkov, the Russian centerman suffered a “closed craniocerebral injury and a concussion” on the play.
Kuznetsov had been chosen to represent SKA St. Petersburg at the 2025 KHL All-Star Game but will no longer be able to do so. Lysenkov added in early January that Kuznetsov is also not expected return to a KHL game until at least mid-February.
“Evgeny Kuznetsov, unfortunately, will miss at least another month of the championship,” a source told Lysenkov per Google Translation. “He has a concussion, and this is the prescription of the treating doctors who made this diagnosis. It is already clear that he will miss the KHL All-Star Game, which will take place in February in Novosibirsk.”
Kuznetsov only skated 7:25 of ice time in the game where he was injured. Provolnev, formerly of the Arizona Coyotes organization, was not penalized for the hit.
The former Washington Capitals forward has a history of concussions, most notably suffering one after taking an elbow to the head from Brandon Tanev in 2018.
Kuznetsov was one of four players from the Bobrov Division voted All-Star starters by fans. His 2025 All-Star nod was his first with SKA St. Petersburg since returning to the KHL and his fifth overall.
The 32-year-old center has 33 points (10g, 23a) in 33 games for SKA this season. Despite missing so much time due to his injury, he is just five points behind Sergei Plotnikov for SKA’s leading scorer.
This year’s KHL All-Star festivities are planned for February 8-9, 2025, at the brand-new Sibir Arena in Novosibirsk.
S/T to HockeyNewsHub
