The Carolina Hurricanes made a bold move by placing Evgeny Kuznetsov on unconditional waivers with the intention of terminating his NHL contract. Kuznetsov, who was in the final season of a lucrative seven-year deal, was set to be paid $6 million of his $8 million salary before this decision was made. General manager Eric Tulsky stated that both parties agreed that this was the best course of action for the player and the team, indicating that Kuznetsov’s time with the Hurricanes had come to an end.
Earlier reports suggested that Kuznetsov was considering mutually terminating his contract to return to Russia and play for SKA Saint Petersburg in the KHL. This move would require Kuznetsov and his representatives to agree to the termination, which ultimately led to the decision to place him on waivers. Alternatively, the Hurricanes could have waited for a buyout window to open later in the summer, but they opted for immediate action.
Kuznetsov’s departure from Carolina marks the end of a short-lived stint that began when he was acquired from the Washington Capitals before the trade deadline in March. The Capitals had agreed to retain half of his hefty salary cap hit, but now both teams are relieved of any further financial obligations. Despite Kuznetsov’s success as the leading scorer during the Capitals’ 2018 Stanley Cup victory, his performance with the Hurricanes was inconsistent, culminating in a limited role and even being made a healthy scratch by coach Rod Brind’Amour during the playoffs.
As Evgeny Kuznetsov’s NHL career takes a new direction, both the player and the Carolina Hurricanes are set to embark on separate paths. Kuznetsov’s return to Russia signifies a fresh start for him in the KHL, while the Hurricanes will now have the opportunity to explore alternative roster options and strategies moving forward. While the decision to terminate Kuznetsov’s contract was undoubtedly a tough one, it may pave the way for new opportunities and developments for both parties involved.