Screenshot: Washington Capitals
Saturday was “breakdown day” for the Washington Capitals. The day symbolically represents the final day of the 2022-23 season for the team, as players hold final meetings with management and hold their final media availability with local press.
With the Capitals missing out on the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in nine seasons, the team and Head Coach Peter Laviolette, whose contract was set to expire on June 30, mutually agreed to part ways yesterday.
“He’s a great person, good coach”, said Center Evgeny Kuznetsov on the departure of his fourth bench boss since joining the Caps during the 2013-14 season (the last occasion on which the team failed to qualify for the postseason), “We spend lot of time together, watching the video clips [chuckling], he has a great wife, great family, so only good stuff to him.”
With the Caps in for what will likely be a busy offseason, next season will likely be one of many new looks for all involved.
“I think for us, it just one day hoping everybody gonna be healthy, and we can play healthy […]”, said Kuznetsov on a fresh start. “…It’s not about how fast you skate, it’s how fast you think and how fast you move the puck, so I’m pretty sure whoever is going to be coach here is going to spend some time with that and we’re going to come out hot”, he finished, responding to comments made by Nicklas Backstrom.
Kuznetsov, who posted 24 Goals and 78 Points in 79 Games Played last season, recorded just 12 and 55, respectively, in 81 contests in 2022-23. While he did not wish to evaluate his performance, the 2010 first-round pick offered an assessment of his dip in goal-scoring.
“I have nothing to comment about that at this point in time, sorry”, Kuznetsov replied, “I still need a little more time…fought till the end, trying to get healthy, and all that stuff. But just wasn’t there so I got to sit and think why is all happening, but I’m pretty sure I’m gonna come back stronger next year.”
“I feel like last year, there was a few more breakaways, and this year just two breakaways, so I think some of those high-danger shots I used to have I didn’t have this year. There’s a lot of time to think about and refocus but I’m pretty sure I’m going to find a solution.”
In his press conference, Capitals General Manager Brian MacLellan expressed dissatisfaction with Kuznetsov’s game this season.
“Probably disappointed in it. I think it wasn’t as good as last year. I liked his season last year, he played well. For whatever reason, he never quite found his game. I mean there were stretches where I thought he played well, but overall I think he underperformed the season he had last year.”
The 31-year old forward, who has played his entire 10-season career in Washington, has once again found himself in the offseason trade rumor mill. He was not asked about this in his exit interview, although Kuznetsov described his emotions surrounding the team’s failure to play into the summer as “very low”.
Report: Kuznetsov’s Agents To Speak With Washington GM MacLellan
To hear Kuznetsov’s full comments, see below: