Washington Capitals second banana, Evgeny Kuznetsov, had a monster season. Yet, he gets a fraction of the attention. A tip of the cap to him after his year.
For all the attention certain Washington Capitals stars get, such as Alex Ovechkin, John Carlson and Braden Holtby, there is one who skates in virtual anonymity.
Barely 26, he is signed through the mid-20s. Not his, but the 2020s. Last year Kuznetsov scored a career-high 83 points. During the Caps championship run, he led the squad with 32 points. Those 20 assists topped the playoff list.
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You need to be a special forward to merit 20 minutes of ice time a night when it counts. Kuznetsov averaged 20:33. Okay, he will never do a YouTube video on how to win faceoffs. But, he can tell the world how to win an overtime playoff game. It was his brace in Game 6 which sent the Caps past Pittsburgh and into the Eastern Conference Finals.
Yet, Ovechkin grabbed the headlines after the season was over. And, why not? His man-crush on the Stanley Cup was the hottest romance in Washington for years. Devante Smith-Pelly’s Game 5 tying goal netted him a new contract and folk hero status.
When Jay Beagle left, a few openly wondered if his number would join the rafters in enshrinement. However, Kuznetsov has 265 points in 340 games over five seasons and gets taken for granted. Although Beagle played a marvelous career in Washington, his contributions are not as strong.
Not everyone gets the honor of being a household name. Edmonton’s Jari Kurri played second-fiddle to Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier. Bryan Trottier may have been the best all-around layer in the late-70s and early 80s, but Mike Bossy and Denis Potvin are the Islander names most remember.
Kuznetsov is heading in that direction. You can make the same argument with Evgeni Malkin in Pittsburgh. Even casual fans can mention Sidney Crosby, Malkin and Kuznetsov take a moment.
In Kuznetsov’s case, he has not scored 30 in a season. Only once has he finished in the top ten in points and top five in assists. Yet, his best days are ahead. He is skating into the prime of his career and can feed Ovechkin the puck with ease.
A good two-way forward, with Selke consideration twice, Kuznetsov can dominate a game. That 30-goal season is coming. His 14.4 shooting percentage was a career-best last year.
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For him and the Washington Capitals, Evgeny Kuznetsov is a crucial cog if there is to be another championship run. Still improving, he gives the Caps explosive firepower. You can never have too many goals.