Insider Lebrun Confirms Kuznetsov's Future And It's Not With The Capitals
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The Washington Capitals don't have a bad record this season, despite many star players struggling.
Among them, Evgeny Kuznetsov, with his five goals and six assists in 27 games, has been at the center of many rumors.
LeBrun Gives Update on Kuznetsov Amid Tough Season
According to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun, Kuznetsov looks like he could use a fresh start.
Check out what he said in a recent paper:
"If there's a player who looks like he needs a fresh start, it's Evgeny Kuznetsov, who's struggling this season.
It's hard to see there being a market for him ahead of March 8 because he's got another year left on his deal at a $7.8 million cap hit, and most contending teams adding at the deadline are looking at rentals.
He could be a candidate to be moved at the draft, though, with the salary cap going up and teams having more cap flexibility in the offseason.
The Capitals almost moved him last offseason, from my understanding. They were engaged with the Predators on a deal that would have entailed taking a player back, but for whatever reason, that fell through. I don't know what player that was for sure, but we know that the Predators ended up buying out Matt Duchene and trading Ryan Johansen to Colorado while eating half of his remaining contract. Of course, Predators GM Barry Trotz was Kuznetsov's coach in Washington, when he arguably played the best hockey of his career. But the Preds are full up at center now, so that ship has probably sailed.
Whether it's taking another contract back or eating some of his remaining $7.8 million next season, though, I do believe Kuznetsov has a chance to be on the move this upcoming summer."
It's hard to see there being a market for him ahead of March 8 because he's got another year left on his deal at a $7.8 million cap hit, and most contending teams adding at the deadline are looking at rentals.
He could be a candidate to be moved at the draft, though, with the salary cap going up and teams having more cap flexibility in the offseason.
The Capitals almost moved him last offseason, from my understanding. They were engaged with the Predators on a deal that would have entailed taking a player back, but for whatever reason, that fell through. I don't know what player that was for sure, but we know that the Predators ended up buying out Matt Duchene and trading Ryan Johansen to Colorado while eating half of his remaining contract. Of course, Predators GM Barry Trotz was Kuznetsov's coach in Washington, when he arguably played the best hockey of his career. But the Preds are full up at center now, so that ship has probably sailed.
Whether it's taking another contract back or eating some of his remaining $7.8 million next season, though, I do believe Kuznetsov has a chance to be on the move this upcoming summer."
Read more here:
Do you think Kuznetsov will be traded out of Washington?
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| POLL | ||
24 DECEMBRE | 327 ANSWERS Insider Lebrun Confirms Kuznetsov's Future And It's Not With The Capitals Do you think Kuznetsov will be traded out of Washington? | ||
| Yes | 233 | 71.3 % |
| No | 94 | 28.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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