Evgeny Kuznetsov 2023 Report Card
We only have two more Washington Capitals players left to grade in our end of season player report cards. Today we grade the season of Evgeny Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov is coming off a tough year where he had just 12 goals and 43 assists for 55 points in 81 games. He also had a plus minus rating of negative 26 and a career low shooting percentage of seven percent.
“For whatever reason, he never quite found his game. I mean, there are stretches where I thought he played well, but overall, I think he underperformed the season he had last year.”
Russian agent and longtime friend of Kuznetsov’s, Sergei Fedotov, opened up about how Kuznetsov hasn’t been happy here the last few seasons. He spoke on a podcast from sports.ru.
He cited that things have gone downhill for him ever since his positive test for cocaine in 2019 and a healthy scratch for disciplinary reasons a few seasons later after being late to a team function.
To make matters worse he also tested positive twice for COVID 19. Last year he bounced back in a big way with 24 goals but was unable to replicate it this season thanks to inconsistencies and nights where he just wasn’t noticeable. The passenger mentality if you will.
“He just needs a change of scenery. He has a family, he has children, he’s doing well. But for him to get more spark from hockey — now, he doesn’t have that spark.”
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Grade F: It took until Nov. 7 against the Edmonton Oilers for Evgeny Kuznetsov to have his first goal of the season. Sadly that two goal night was his best game of the season. I thought it would turn his season around but alas here we are in the middle of more trade rumors.