Evgeny Kuznetsov points to Capitals’ hiring of Peter Laviolette for downturn in team: ‘You brought a coach who almost didn’t fit our style’
Evgeny Kuznetsov held his first press conference with Capitals media on Thursday, the first day of Capitals Training Camp. There, he seemed to blame himself for last season’s struggles and called Spencer Carbery “a perfect match” for a rebound year in 2023-24.
“I’m not the guy that’s going to get big paycheck and be happy everyday,” Kuznetsov said. “So every time I come back home after a bad practice or bad game, I’m beating myself (up) and I’m not happy about (it). Every time I walking in locker room every morning knowing they tell me you’re not performing the way the guys expected me to perform, I’m feeling bad about (it).”
Kuzy spoke about his feelings and his own personal problems from last season, but he was careful to not comment on the cause of the conflict and friction.
He saved that for a tell-all interview with the Russian outlet Slippery Ice. There, Kuznetsov criticized general manager Brian MacLellan and former Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette. He even spoke to a private meeting he had with MacLellan where he told Mac his true feelings.
By Ian Oland 6 days ago