The Carolina Hurricanes have placed Russian forward Evgeny Kuznetsov on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract, the NHL club announced on Wednesday.

Kuznetsov has one year remaining on his contract, which was due to pay him $6 million US in 2024-25. However, Kuznetsov has expressed a desire to return to play in Russia and the Hurricanes would like to be rid of his contract and $7.8 million cap hit, which is excessive given his decline in production. Last season, Kuznetsov recorded 24 points in 67 regular-season games split between the Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes. He then had seven points in 20 playoff games for the Canes.

“Ultimately both sides agreed this was the best course of action for both the player and the team,” Carolina GM Eric Tulsky said to the club’s website. “We thank Evgeny for his time with the team and wish him and his family the best.”

Carolina had acquired Kuznetsov, 32, at this year’s trading deadline from Washington, for whom he had played since arriving in the NHL during the 2013-14 season. If this is the end of Kuznetsov’s NHL career, he finishes with 575 points in 743 regular-season games and 73 points in 97 playoff games. He was a member of the Capitals’ 2017-18 Stanley Cup championship team, recording a league-leading 32 points in 24 games during that playoff run.

Internationally, Kuznetsov has represented Russia at six IIHF World Championships, winning two gold medals, and at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

Kuznetsov comes from Chelyabinsk, an industrial city on the Asian side of the Ural Mountains. It was with local club Traktor that Kuznetsov had played prior to heading overseas, recording 167 points in 251 KHL games. Nonetheless, it is to SKA St. Petersburg that is heavily rumored to be his next destination.