3 logical Evgeny Kuznetsov trade proposals
The Washington Capitals relationship with Evgeny Kuznetsov has not gotten good over the years and Peter Laviolette’s coaching style the last couple of seasons made it worse.
Sergei Fedotov, a Russian hockey agent and longtime friend of Kuznetsov, spoke on the issue and believes it’s best for both parties to move on. He spoke on a podcast by sports.ru:
“I’ve known Zhenya for a very long time… there are people who are quite disciplined. Zhenya’s not in this category. Right now, he doesn’t have this joy from hockey. And Kuznetsov, without a spark, he’s not interested in anything.”
Here are 3 trade proposals for Kuzy that make more sense than last time:
#3 Kuznetsov to Carolina Hurricanes for Jesperi Kotkaniemi
This move could benefit both sides and in Jesperi Kotkaniemi the Capitals would gain a young 22 year old center with an inexpensive cap hit at $4.82 million.
This past season saw him score a career high 18 goals and 25 assists for 43 points. He can bolster the Caps offense and Kuznetsov would get the fresh start he needs. Plus he would love it in Carolina.
The only negative about this trade would be trading Kuzy within the division and we promise the next two slides won’t be division rivals.
#2 Kuzy to Colorado Avalanche for Logan O’Connor
The Capitals could trade Kuznetsov to the Colorado Avalanche where he would reunite with Lars Eller. They seem to be a good landing spot for Kuzy. Logan O’Connor is a winger that could pay on the left or the right side. He could be good for the bottom six and he’s 26 years old with a $1.050 million cap hit.
O’Connor played in all 82 games and had nine goals and 17 assists for 26 points.
The Avalanche on the other hand are in need of a top six center after losing Name Kadri last offseason. Kuzy would provide that for them. He could center a line with Gabriel Landeskog and Artturl Lehkonen. He could also do great on the power play.
The only problem with this trade is that the Avalanche might ask the Caps to retain some of Kuzy’s expensive $7.8 million cap hit. His contract doesn’t expire until the 2024 25 season so this would probably be a brief rental for them.
If Kuznetsov can break out with the Avalanche or whoever he winds up with, his value when he re hits free agency will no doubt increase. Colorado would also probably have to part ways with their first rounder this year to make this trade happen.
#1 Evgeny Kuznetsov for Brandon Saad of the St. Louis Blues
The Capitals have always done business with the Blues and in this move it would benefit both teams. The Caps would get a winger in Brandon Saad who’s 30, around the same age as Kuznetsov but a much less cap hit at $4.5 million.
This could pretty much open up a bottom six third line center position for either Connor McMichael or Hendrix Lapierre. Whoever seizes it at training camp.
Saad can play on the left or right wing. You may remember him from those Cup teams of the Chicago Blackhawks. But he wasn’t on that toxic 2010 team.
Last season for the Blues, Saad had 19 goals and 18 assists for 37 points. Not as good as his 24 goals the season prior but still better and more consistent than Kuznetsov’s numbers this season.
The Blues look to add a top six center to their lineup as they traded away Ryan O’Reilly at the trade deadline. They also said bye to Vladimir Tarasenko in their own fire sale.
Hot. T.J. Oshie 2023 Report Card. light
Kuznetsov would be a perfect fit to speed up the St. Louis post Cup rebuild. Him and Jakub Vrana could lead the charge.