The Carolina Hurricanes made a low-risk high-reward trade on Friday, acquiring Evgeny Kuznetsov from the Washington Capitals for a 2025 third round pick. Kuznetsov was the leading scorer in the playoffs for the Capitals when they won the Stanley Cup in 2018, he has 17 points in 43 games this season. The 31-year-old recently exited the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program [https://www.nhl.com/news/evgeny-kuznetsov-hopes-to-revive-career-with-hurricanes#:%7e:text=Kuznetsov%20was%20waived%20by%20the,assistance%20program%20on%20March%202.], was cleared to resume practicing and entered the follow-up care phase before being placed on waivers and sent to the AHL's Hershey Bears. Kuznetsov to CAR Washington retained 50% of Kuznetsov's contract in real life and they did not feel they were receiving adequate value for him in NHL 24, rejecting the deal. NHL 24 does not have the context of the off-ice issues Kuznetsov has suffered this season or Washington's desire to shed some salary. Kuznetsov is still extremely valuable in-game and the Capitals did not want to move on. In real life the Hurricanes receive a player with high upside for just a third round pick.
