Evgeny Kuznetsov On Reports of Trade Request: “I’m Happy Here and I Like The Guys, I Like Everything. But You Never Know, It’s Not Always On Me”

Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

Over the weekend, a report out of Russia emerged that alleged Washington Capitals Center Evgeny Kuznetsov had requested a trade out of D.C.. The 2010 first-round pick of the team addressed the report following the team’s practice on Monday.

Kuznetsov, who has played 672 games over parts of 10 seasons in Washington, denied the report’s authenticity, saying “You know how it is. It’s just people trying to put some whatever they want to get the likes on Instagram or tweet or whatever.”, via NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti.

Kuznetsov, who has seen his average ice time dip to 18:11 from 20:17 in 2021-22 and recorded 53 Points in 73 Games Played (down from 78 Points in 78 Games Played a season ago), also stated that “there’s nothing really to put the comments on”, and told reporters that he had addressed the report with the publishers, “I spoke to those people, and I said, ‘Where is this coming from?’ So…at this point, there is nothing to even talk about.”

Despite the rumors swirling about a trade and trade request, the 26th overall pick in 2010, who ranks sixth in franchise history in Assists and ninth in Points, says he is happy in Washington and his current situation, but also pointed out the business side of the game.

With the Caps currently sitting in sixth in the Metropolitan Division with a 34-32-8 record and six points out of the final Wild Card playoff spot, the 2023 offseason will likely be one of continued transformation for the team, Kuznetsov included.

By Michael Fleetwood

About Michael Fleetwood

Michael Fleetwood was born into a family of diehard Capitals fans and has been watching games as long as he can remember. He was born the year the Capitals went to their first Stanley Cup Final, and is a diehard Caps fan, the owner of the very FIRST Joe Beninati jersey and since then, has met Joe himself. Michael joined the NoVa Caps team in 2015, and is most proud of the growth of the NoVa Caps community in that time. An avid photographer, Michael resides in VA.
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19 Responses to Evgeny Kuznetsov On Reports of Trade Request: “I’m Happy Here and I Like The Guys, I Like Everything. But You Never Know, It’s Not Always On Me”

  1. hockeydruid says:

    If he is going to get traded, this summer is the time to pull the trigger as he will still have 2 years left before he is a UFA. Only drawback is his M-NTC; is his a 10 or 15 team list?

  2. Anonymous says:

    So he didn’t deny it.

    • Anonymous says:

      He flat out did deny. Said he contacted Russian media outlet that reported it.

      • Anonymous says:

        Could you share the quote where he flat out denied it? Because I’m not seeing it in the article.

        • KimRB says:

          “Kuznetsov, who has played 672 games over parts of 10 seasons in Washington, denied the report’s authenticity, saying “You know how it is. It’s just people trying to put some whatever they want to get the likes on Instagram or tweet or whatever.”, via NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti.”

          • Anonymous says:

            he denied it but at the end said, “….But you never know. It’s not always on me.”

            that last part is the part that screams he’s lying

            • James says:

              Your denying that he denied it when he did certainly deny it “screams” that you’re lying. You must work for Fox News.

          • Anonymous says:

            So no words from him denied it. When kuzy says he didn’t ask for a trade, keep me posted.

            • Anonymous says:

              The quotes are readily available. Bury your head in the sand if that helps you get to sleep at night. Otherwise, try Google.

            • KimRB says:

              I don’t know what more you need. He said it was made up by a Russian paper. Works for me. If you were on Mount Sinai, you probably woulda said to Moses “so you didn’t say those tablets were from the REAL God, did you?”

              You’re rationalizing.

              • Anonymous says:

                “You know how it is. It’s just people trying to … get the likes on Instagram and Twitter or whatever. I talked to those people, like, where did this come from?” he said. “It’s something that we can talk about later, but at this point there is nothing to even talk about.”

                This was in response to a question about the article, which stated that he’d asked for a trade through his agent. The above statement is not an outright denial of anything.

                • KimRB says:

                  Yeeeeeaaahhhh…. I read that, and I quoted it, so I have no idea why you’re presenting that, as if it’s new information. And it still seems to me to be a denial that he asked for a trade. For one thing, English isn’t his native language. So he’s answering as best he can in a language that he may be uncomfortable using. I speak a little Russian myself, the differences between the languages is great. For another, he probably doesn’t want to say, flat out, “I’m not going anywhere” only to get traded at the draft, and end up looking dishonest. So he just gave his best denial, while still trying to be noncommittal.

                  Again, you’re rationalizing.

                  • Anonymous says:

                    I am fluent in Russian and I read the article in Russian and in English. He did not state that he did not ask for a trade. “who told you that?” isn’t the same as “I didn’t ask for a trade.”

  3. Anonymous says:

    Russian reports are always BS

  4. novafyre says:

    I think his daughter will be 8 and son 4 shortly. Yeah, they probably have some roots here.

    Any child born on US soil (except of a diplomat) automatically gets US citizenship. That’s why Semin was in Sunrise — latest child was being born here.

  5. Scottlew73 says:

    Well if you take his word….. I got some MAGIC BEANS to sell you!! Cats don’t try to cover thier crap in a litter box as much Kuzy denying any controversy. Did anyone make sure his pants weren’t on fire.

    • hockeydruid says:

      Or maybe he sees the handwriting on the wall and wants to look good and pretend to be shocked when he gets traded and be able to say how much he would have liked to stay. Wonder if he would like a parade out of town…..we could start collecting feathers and maybe Home Depot will have a sale on tar!

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