The Toronto Maple Leafs have few choices in the free agent market. If they still want to add depth to their offensive corps, they may be presented with an unexpected opportunity.
In an article published on July 24, Jesse Courville-Lynch of The Hockey Writers advised the Maple Leafs to sign free agent Evgeny Kuznetsov after his contract with the Carolina Hurricanes was terminated.
“There was a belief he could opt to join the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) in Russia, but a recent report states that he could end up back in the NHL this upcoming season,” Courville-Lynch told reporters. “Adding Kuznetsov allows the Maple Leafs to experiment with their lineup a little more.
“Another advantage of bringing in Kuznetsov is that it is unlikely to break the bank or have a significant impact on their salary cap. He would most likely ask for a one-season contract costing roughly $1 million. If that’s what he’s asking for, the Maple Leafs should be eager to sign him.
“The Maple Leafs should be trying to get something done sooner rather than later.”
The Maple Leafs have established themselves as a perennial playoff team, but they are missing the final element to cross the finish line and go to the Stanley Cup Final. Curville-Lynch argues that adding Kuznetsov at a low cost could be a strategic move worth considering ahead of 2024-25.
Evgeni Kuznetsov’s Contract Termination
The 2023-24 season proved difficult for Kuznetsov. He enrolled in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program following the NHL All-Star Break. Kuznetsov then requested a trade from the Capitals, which the team granted shortly thereafter.
The Washington Capitals traded Kuznetsov to the Carolina Hurricanes prior to the 2024 trade deadline. Following the season, the forward signed an agreement to terminate his contract on July 16, as originally reported by Russian outlet Championat.
That initial article revealed Kuznetsov’s objective, which was to return to Russia and play in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
According to Championat, Kuznetsov has signed a four-year contract with KHL team SKA Saint Petersburg. On July 15, Shumi Babayev, the player’s agent, told the outlet otherwise. He stated that the player had not signed a contract with SKA at that time.
“Everything is possible, but it is still too early to discuss Evgeny Kuznetsov’s return to Russia. It’s unclear why this information was released, given that he has another year left on his deal with Carolina. But there was interest from SKA,” Babayev stated. “I would be delighted if Evgeny returned; he would improve the KHL and become a star in the league, but it is too early to say whether he will return to SKA or another team. We’re pals who communicate all the time. He has a strong desire to play hockey and enjoy it.
Kuznetsov has played 251 games in the KHL, including regular and postseason games, scoring 78 goals and assisting 89 for a total of 167 points. In 2024, the Russian winger appeared in 63 games, scoring eight goals and assisting on sixteen others for a total of 24 points. He contributed four goals and two assists in ten postseason games.
Kuznetsov Leaves Door Open for NHL Return.
According to his agent, in an unexpected turn of events, Kuznetsov may considering returning to the NHL next season rather than heading to Russia.
In an interview published on July 23, Babayev told Russian publication RB Sport that up to 15 NHL teams have expressed interest in signing Kuznetsov following the expiration of his contract.
“There is still interest in Evgeny Kuznetsov from 15 NHL clubs,” Babayev disclosed. “He hasn’t made his final decision yet. He is most likely preparing to play in the Korean Hockey League. The man wishes to play hockey, have fun, be useful, and win. There are numerous aspects involved here.
“He simply wants to play hockey and be trusted. He has many years left in him. Kuznetsov is in good physical shape and hasn’t yet said his final word in hockey. It’s strange that he selected Russian hockey than North American. Many teams overseas are now playing Soviet hockey—look at the speed and passes. It’s only that if there was interest in the teams that rely on him and allow him to showcase his finest abilities, he would look at them in the same way.”
Based on those words, the Maple Leafs or any other NHL team might still persuade him to stay in the league. They’d bring in a guy with an impressive resume who was eager to contribute in whatever manner he could in his final years.
Kuznetsov (32 years old) has played 11 seasons in the NHL. He has scored 575 points in 743 games. Kuznetsov might have easily earned the Conn Smythe Trophy during the Capitals’ 2018 Stanley Cup win. He got 32 points in those playoffs and lifted the cup.
