Evgeny Kuznetsov 2022 Report Card

We’ve now reached the final player to grade in our Washington Capitals report card series and it’s easily the most improved player, Evgeny Kuznetsov. He perhaps had the biggest bounce back and one year turnaround from last year’s report card to this year’s.

Last year when we graded him he got an F due to his inconsistency and issues on and off the ice, as well as being the subject of trade rumors. We did note in a few more articles later about Kuznetsov that he does have the potential to bounce back and it’s up to him.

This past season, Kuznetsov bounced back in a big way.

After a dismal nine goal and 20 assist season for 29 points in 2021, Kuznetsov recorded 24 goals (three away from tying a career high) and 54 assists for 89 points. It was easily his best season since 2017-18.

In the playoffs, while the Capitals suffered another first round exit, Kuznetsov wasn’t to blame this time around. He had two goals and three assists for five points in six games.

Kuznetsov also had good advanced stats. During the regular season he had a Corsi For percentage of 49.68 percent, an Expected Goals For percentage of 48.18 percent, and a 44.87 percent High Danger Chances For percentage, per Natural Stat Trick.

His advanced stats dipped in the playoffs though. His Corsi For percentage came out to 41.09 percent, his Expected Goals For percentage at 45.01 percent and a good 58.33 percent High Danger Chances For percentage.

Kuznetsov was a big impact player on a Capitals team that was banged up with injuries and COVID issues. He rose to the occasion and silenced those doubters once and for all. You really can’t ask much more in terms of improvement. Now with Nicklas Backstrom’s absence, Kuznetsov needs to step up as the top line center even more.

Grade A+: In the history of doing these player report cards every offseason nobody had the one year turnaround like Evgeny Kuznetsov did. Thank God the Caps didn’t trade him.