After clearing waivers earlier this week, Evgeny Kuznetsov is getting a fresh start with the Carolina Hurricanes. Jacob Stoller reacts.

Three days after passing through waivers unclaimed, Evgeny Kuznetsov is getting a fresh start after all.

The Carolina Hurricanes have acquired Kuznetsov from the Washington Capitals in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick. The Capitals will retain 50 percent of Kuznetsov’s contract ($7.8 million), which expires at the end of 2024-25.

Kuznetsov, 31, is currently in the follow-up care phase of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, which means he's cleared to practise but not yet for game action. Ahead of entering the program, he's had a rocky 2023-24 season with six goals and 11 assists for 17 points in 43 games.

"It's about a fresh start for Kuzy, first of all," Capitals GM Brian MacLellan told reporters when Kuznetsov hit the waiver wire last week. "He's been looking for a change in environment, and this might set the wheels in motion for that to be accomplished."

Kuznetsov was one of the NHL’s best passers and power-play weapons in his prime. Expecting him to be anything close to that level this year is unrealistic, but the Hurricanes are prolific for squeezing the most out of every player. 

Up front, Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour runs a four-line deep balanced attack that prides itself on forechecking and high shot volume. Does Kuznetsov fit that mold? Not exactly, but he adds a different wrinkle than a lot of their players — his vision, pure passing and creativity are pretty spectacular when he’s rolling — and he provides definite power-play upside. Being in a place where lines two to four are nearly evenly deployed could do Kuznetsov wonders.

Since Tuesday, the Capitals have acquired a 2024 second-round pick, a 2024 third-round pick, a 2025 third-round pick, a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick in the Kuznetzov, Anthony Mantha and Joel Edmundson deals. 

Here's what Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos think of the swap: