Evgeny Kuznetzov Signs New Pro Contract After Months of Speculation
Evgeny Kuznetsov was rumoured to return to the NHL this off-season, but now, he's officially signed a new deal overseas, potentially ending his NHL career.
Over the past few months, former Washington Capitals centre and Stanley Cup winner Evgeny Kuznetsov made it clear that he was looking to return to the NHL for the 2025/26 campaign.
Despite rumoured interest from several teams, with the 2025/26 regular season less than a week away, no official signing from the 33-year old has been announced thus far.
Evgeny Kuznetzov's Time in the NHL Likely Done Forever After Not Finding Contract This Summer
Until now however, as Kuznetsov is now reportedly signing a one-year deal with Metallurg in the KHL after spending the summer training for an NHL return, signalling that this could be the end of his career in North America.
This move comes a year after Kuznetsov posted 12 goals and 37 points in 39 games played for SKA St. Petersburg, with many expecting that production to lead him to an NHL return this summer, with the 33-year old still having plenty of hockey ahead of him in his career.
With the deal being for just one year, it hasn't officially closed the door on a Kuznetsov return to the NHL, but with more and more young talent joining the league every year, it certainly limits his opportunities moving forward.
Ultimately, this doesn't mean the end of Kuznetsov's NHL dreams, but after over a decade in the league with Washington and Carolina, he's now set for his second straight season in the KHL, signalling that the chances of a return to the NHL are growing slimmer by the year.
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