Breaking down the likeliest trade destination for Evgeny Kuznetsov

The Washington Capitals and Evgeny Kuznetsov have all but parted ways. They are still partners for now. But there will be a trade coming.

Mike Vogel pretty much confirmed it here:

Over the years, the Caps have typically tried to accommodate players who ask to be moved. But trying to make a hockey trade to improve the top six has proven to be difficult, given the current trade market combined with yet another year of a flat salary cap, a condition that has led to the aggressive buyouts and dumping of players MacLellan mentioned. Many trades made this summer involved teams retaining salary on players they needed to move, and the Caps are reluctant to do so in any deals they might make.

If I were to think of a good trade destination for Evgeny Kuznetsov it wold be the Colorado Avalanche. I just don’t know what kind of return the Capitals would get that would both make sense and be at a good price.

The Ads will be without Gabriel Landeskog and will have at least seven million to spend as that is his cap hit. It could be an easy one on their side to pull off and it could bolster their offense.

Kuznetsov could enjoy Colorado and the best part about this transaction is that he gets out of both the Eastern Conference and Metropolitan Division.

That means you only see him twice a year or more if both teams make the Stanley Cup Finals. I think Kuznetsov would do great in Colorado the same way Philipp Grubauer and Andre Burakovsky both found and rediscovered their games.

It’s the dog days of summer and we are still waiting for a move. If both sides are ready to move on the Caps have to be extremely careful.

Don’t trade unless there’s a good return.