On Friday’s 32 Thoughts Podcast, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said that the Washington Capitals are “really going to explore” the possibility of trading center Evgeny Kuznetsov, who recently shot down a report of a trade request in March.
”I would expect them to find a way to move Kuznetsov,” Friedman said.
He also noted that Kuznetsov, who will turn 31 on May 19 and has two years left on a contract that pays him $7.8 million against the NHL salary cap, has changed agents. Kuznetsov led Washington in assists (43) and finished third in points (55) in 81 games this past season. Though, he also finished with a career-low -26 rating.
Kuznetsov has 165 goals and 551 points in 680 career NHL regular-season games, all in Washington, and has a 10-team no-trade clause in his contract. He has also earned 29 goals and 67 points in 87 career postseason outings, including when he led the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs with 32 points (including 12 goals) in 24 games.
Friedman also speculatively pondered about the possibility of Washington moving left-wing Anthony Mantha, who finished with 11 goals and 27 points in 67 games during a campaign where he was frequently healthy scratched. He has one year left on his deal, which carries a $5.7 million cap hit, before becoming eligible for unrestricted free agency in July 2024.
“I do think the Capitals will try to make some changes. Kuznetsov might be one, Mantha might be another,” he said.
“I think they have a lot of decisions to make.” Freidman continued. “I think there will be a lot of news out of there.”
Regarding head coach Peter Laviolette’s future in Washington, Friedman said that talks between the two sides have cooled. One of the factors for Laviolette, whose contract has expired, is the direction of the team.
He noted that GM Brian MacLellan is not afraid of making fast decisions.
By Harrison Brown