Washington Capitals: Top 3 reasons Evgeny Kuznetsov will breakout in 2021-22

#2 Nicklas Backstrom injury opens up opportunity on the top line

The Capitals opened training camp with some bad news. Nicklas Backstrom is missing the start of it and perhaps the entire preseason and the start of the regular season as he recovers from hip surgery. It opens up an opportunity on the first line and Kuznetsov is ready to seize it.

Physically and mentally, Kuznetsov is in a good spot according to head coach Peter Laviolette who had about as real of a talk with him as it can get. Laviolette spoke more about it via Sammi Silber of Washington Hockey Now:

"“Evgeny and I have had as honest as a conversation you can have since I’ve been here. He’s in a really good spot right now, he looks extremely fit, healthy and ready to play. I think his mind, based on the conversations that I’ve had with him, is in a really good spot. He’s really going to get an opportunity to show what he can do.”"

Kuznetsov playing alongside his fellow countryman Alex Ovechkin will help make him better. The right side will be occupied by either Tom Wilson or T.J. Oshie unless someone really surprises at camp.

While a return to normalcy and an opening on the first line are legitimate reasons Kuznetsov can breakout, this next one is perhaps the biggest…