Ex-Capitals Center Evgeny Kuznetsov, SKA Agree to Terminate KHL Contract
Kuznetsov and SKA agreed to terminate his contract. (James Guillory — Imagn Images)
Former Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov and SKA St. Petersburg have mutually agreed to terminate his contract, the team announced on Tuesday.
Kuznetsov, who spent 11 years with the Capitals before being traded to the Carolina Hurricanes at last year's trade deadline, terminated his NHL contract in the summer in order to sign with SKA.
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The 32-year-old had a rough end to his tenure in D.C., as he was placed on waivers amid inconsistency and struggles in his final year. He also briefly spent time in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.
Kuznetsov had inked a four-year deal with SKA as he chose to return to Russia, and told Sport-Express a lot of the issues he dealt with were due to rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that led to a lack of sleep and multiple injections and medications.
Kuznetsov Opens Up About Health Problems With Capitals & Why He Entered Player Assistance Program: 'I'd Been Suffering All Year'
Kuznetsov Opens Up About Health Problems With Capitals & Why He Entered Player Assistance Program: 'I'd Been Suffering All Year' The ex-Capitals star said he has been battling an autoimmune disease.
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Despite a fresh start, Kuznetsov's first year back in the KHL didn't go to plan as he dealt with injury. In 39 games, he put up 12 goals and 25 assists for 37 points, along with 38 penalty minutes and a plus/minus rating of plus-13. In six playoff games, he had a goal and two assists.
It is unclear what's next for Kuznetsov, who totaled 575 points in 743 NHL games.
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