Capitals’ Kuznetsov officially placed on trade market, by team GM

The end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs was tough for forward Evgeny Kuznetsov. On May 3rd, he was scratched by coach Peter Laviolette for disciplinary reasons. A day later, insider Pierre LeBrun reported that Capitals management was now so irritated by Kuznetsov that the team might be open to dealing the top-line center this offseason.

General manager Brian MacLellan basically confirmed that the Russian forward was on the trade block on Wednesday morning. The GM also added more was needed from EK. 

“I think we’re always open to trading people if it makes sense for what’s going on. If it’s going to make our team better, I think we’re open to it,” MacLellan answered when asked by Stephen Whymo if he’d entertain trading Kuznetsov this offseason.

“I don’t think anybody’s off the table. We’re not going to trade Ovi or Backy and those type of people, but I think you have to be open on anything. We would talk to anybody about any player.”

Beside the behavioural issues, Kuznetsov isn’t the player he once was. Back in 2018, during the Caps’ Stanley Cup run, he was arguably the team’s best player for nearly two months, recording 32 points in 24 games.

This season, Kuznetsov struggled, was placed on COVID-19 protocols twice, costing him 13 games and finished with no points and eight shots on goal in Games 3-5 in the postseason. 

While Kuznetsov might now be officially on the trade block, it won’t be an easy move for the Capitals. After all, he is owed $7.8 million for each of the next four seasons and also has a 15-team no-trade list, per Cap Friendly. 

But with the talent he is and his potential that could bring to a new team thanks to a change of scenery, we bet suitors will come calling in DC. 

We will have no other choice than to keep a close eye on this throughout the summer.