After being cleared to return to practice by the NHL/NHLA Player Assistance Program, Washington Capitals forward Evgeny Kuznetsov was placed on waivers by the team. He cleared waivers on Sunday and is set to practice with the team’s AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears, on Tuesday.
Evgeny Kuznetsov’s future with the Washington Capitals is uncertain, with several potential scenarios for their separation:
- Summer Buyout: In June, NHL teams can buy out players’ contracts. For Kuznetsov, with a $7.8 million salary-cap hit through 2024-25, a buyout would mean the Capitals paying $3.8 million towards the cap in 2024-25 and a flat $2 million in 2025-26. This would save the team $4 million next season, effectively nullifying the expected salary cap increase.
- Contract Termination: Kuznetsov’s contract could be terminated for material breach, but this is unlikely given his time in the NHL/NHLA Player Assistance Program. A less controversial path to termination could occur if Kuznetsov refuses to report to training camp, triggering a process that could lead to his suspension and eventual termination.
- Russia Option: Kuznetsov has threatened to return to the KHL in the past, but doing so would mean forfeiting his owed NHL pay, nearly $8 million.
- Trade: Kuznetsov’s camp is reportedly seeking a change of scenery, making a trade to another NHL team a desired outcome. However, his poor on-ice performance and high cap hit may require the Capitals to retain part of his salary and trade valuable assets to offset his shortcomings. Previous trade attempts, including one for Matt Duchene, fell through, suggesting challenges in finding a suitable trade partner.
