Evgeny Kuznetsov’s Fresh Start with the Carolina Hurricanes
ARLINGTON, VA — The Washington Capitals will face an old friend Friday night as Evgeny Kuznetsov and the Carolina Hurricanes come to DC. Kuznetsov’s return comes two weeks to the day after the Caps dealt him to Carolina at the deadline, ending his nearly decade-long tenure in DC.
After a tumultuous final season in Washington that saw him enter the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program and later sent down to the Hershey Bears, the move offered Kuznetsov a fresh start — an opportunity he’s embraced with his new team.
Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery was thrilled to see his former player thrive in Raleigh. While admitting it was difficult to see him go, Carbery emphasized the human element as Kuznetsov bounces back with the Canes.
“I’m happy for him that he landed on his feet, and he’s in a great organization,” Carbery said Friday morning. “They’ve got a great hockey team. And I think that was the objective (of the trade). Yeah, you would have loved for it to be the fairytale ending of Kuzy being able to play here for years to come and retire as a Capital, but sometimes, like we’ve talked about it, it doesn’t work out that way.
“And I think for him — as not a hockey player, as a human being — he needed to get a fresh start and leave this environment. And I think that, from having seen him, and I don’t know until talking to him and we’ll reflect back in years to come, but it looks like it’s positive thus far for his life, having gotten a fresh start, and still be able to play in the National Hockey League.”
Kuznetsov had been away from the Capitals for more than a month before the trade while receiving treatment from the Player Assistance Program. The move to Carolina marked his return to the NHL: he practiced with the Canes just hours after the deal was announced and played the following day for the first time since January 27.
Dmitry Orlov, who reunited with Kuznetsov on the Hurricanes, told The Athletic’s Chris Johnston that he’s already seen a change since he arrived in Raleigh.
“I talked to him on the FaceTime a lot too during the season, during that time, so obviously you can see he’s having more fun now, more of a smile on his face,” he said. “Sometimes it’s not easy. Nobody knows what’s going on exactly in anyone else’s life.”
Kuznetsov scored his first goal for Carolina a week after the deal, commemorating the occasion with his signature bird celebration. The team then used the bird celly for their post-game Storm Surge after the win. Kuznetsov held back tears when telling Bally Sports South’s Hanna Yates what the influx of support meant to him.
“I haven’t had these feelings for a long time,” he said postgame. “Thank you guys for everything, that’s huge. I’m just trying to be me and enjoy it and work hard.”
However positive the result, leaving Washington proved emotional for both Kuznetsov and members of the Capitals. Kuznetsov told reporters after his first practice that DC remained a “massive chunk of my heart,” while Alex Ovechkin admitted the trade was a “sad day” for him.
Conclusion
Friday night, Kuznetsov and his former teammates will once again play side-by-side, now on opposite sides of the ice. The journey of Evgeny Kuznetsov from Washington to Carolina showcases the resilience and adaptability of a professional athlete, finding a new beginning and success in a different environment.
