Caps GM Brian MacLellan appears to backpedal on trading Evgeny Kuznetsov
This season was a particularly tough one for Washington Capitals forward Evgeny Kuznetsov, who has found himself in management's doghouse one too many times.
After Kuznetsov, along with Alex Ovechkin, Dmitry Orlov and Ilya Samsonov, broke COVID-19 protocol in the early-going of the season, there were rumours that the Capitals could look to make a bold change this offseason, with Kuznetsov's name among those who would be near the top of the list to move, given his repeated indiscretions and large salary.
The rumours really seemed to take on a life of their own this offseason, with one of the main reasons being the contract status of Ovechkin, who is a pending UFA, in need of a new deal. Meanwhile, GM Brian MacLellan did not do much to dissuade the rumours by admitting that the Caps would be willing to listen to offers on several players, Kuznetsov among them.
In the latest development, following the draft on Saturday, MacLellan suggested that, despite popular belief, the Capitals could actually retain Kuznetsov's services this season.
"He's a good player," said MacLellan of Kuznetsov. "We like the player and I don't know, we've never said we're trading Kuznetsov. I said we're open to discussions with most of our players for the trade market... it's never been 'we are moving Kuznetsov'".
The Capitals have approximately $9.7M in cap space, though there are at least 3 major pieces that need to be secured. Ovechkin, Samsonov and a backup goaltender. Obviously, $9.7M is not going to go a long way with Ovechkin due, so something's gotta give.
Perhaps this is merely posturing to drive up a potential return on Kuznetsov, but nevertheless, MacLellan's comments are interesting, because someone will have to move. I would imagine that we will, ultimately, see one of Kuznetsov, T.J. Oshie or perhaps even someone like Tom Wilson on the move at some point this offseason.
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Seth Jarvis | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Zach Benson | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Cody Glass | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Bryan Rust | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Matthew Grzelcyk | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Jordan Martinook | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Anthony Beauvillier | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Jackson Blake | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Tomas Hertl | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Owen Power | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Rickard Rakell | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Shea Theodore | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Michael Bunting | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Bowen Byram | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Pavel Dorofeyev | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Jack Eichel | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Victor Olofsson | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Dmitry Orlov | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Alex Pietrangelo | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Jaccob Slavin | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Capitals | 45 | 30 | 10 | 5 | 65 | |
Jets | 46 | 31 | 12 | 3 | 65 | |
Oilers | 45 | 29 | 13 | 3 | 61 | |
Golden Knights | 45 | 29 | 13 | 3 | 61 | |
Wild | 45 | 27 | 14 | 4 | 58 | |
Maple Leafs | 46 | 28 | 16 | 2 | 58 | |
Devils | 47 | 26 | 15 | 6 | 58 | |
Stars | 44 | 28 | 15 | 1 | 57 | |
Hurricanes | 46 | 27 | 16 | 3 | 57 | |
Kings | 42 | 25 | 12 | 5 | 55 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||