Evgeny Kuznetsov is back on the market, and that puts Kent Hughes and the Canadiens in an interesting spot.
The 34-year-old centre has split with Salavat Yulaev Ufa, the KHL club that also features Canadiens prospect Alexander Zharovsky. Kuznetsov spent the past season there after playing in St.
Petersburg the year before, where he skated alongside Ivan Demidov. That connection matters in Montreal, because Kuznetsov already has some history helping young talent settle in.
His departure from the KHL opens the door to a bigger question: what comes next?
When Kuznetsov left the NHL, the Canadiens were among the teams that showed interest. He eventually headed to the KHL instead, but now that he’s moved on from his club, the possibility of a return to North America is back on the table. If that happens, Montreal could circle right back.
The fit is easy to see. The Canadiens are still looking for a top-six centre to line up with Demidov, and Kuznetsov has already built chemistry with him.
The financial angle also makes sense. At 34, he would not require much of an acquisition cost.
His last NHL season came in 2023-24, when he split time between Washington and Carolina and finished with 24 points in 63 games. That was a far cry from his 2021-22 output, when he posted 78 points in 79 games.
In the KHL, though, he’s continued to produce. Last season, he came close to a point per game with 18 points in 19 games.
Whether he lands with Gleb Pugachyov and Torpedo or tries to make his way back to the NHL, Kuznetsov’s next move is one Montreal will be watching closely.
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