The Capitals are happy to see Kuznetsov benefitting from a fresh start with Carolina.

ARLINGTON, V.A. — Despite being on the other side on Friday, the Washington Capitals can't say enough good things about Evgeny Kuznetsov.

It was difficult for the team to say goodbye to the Russian, who spent 11 years in D.C. before being traded to the Carolina Hurricanes at the trade deadline. However, it was the right move for both parties, and the team is happy to see him doing well as he has five points in eight games since joining the Hurricanes.

"I'm happy for him and that he's landed on his feet, and I think that was the objective. You would've loved for it to be the fairytale ending of Kuzy being able to play here for years to come and retire as a Capital. Sometimes it doesn't work out that way," head coach Spencer Carbery said. "For him and not as a hockey player, but as a human being, he needed to get a fresh start and leave this environment. I thank that from having seen him... it's positive."

“I was never running away from the mistakes I made in the past… I learn a lot," Kuznetsov said after the trade, calling Carolina the "perfect match" for him. "Like I said, this is my last opportunity; this is my last chance. Everything is in my power right now."

Although there were moments of uncertainty and frustration, especially toward the end when he struggled with inconsistency and entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, he had a positive impact and played a big role in the franchise's history.

Not only did he help the team to its first Stanley Cup in franchise history, but he played an integral role on the top-6 for years, dazzled with highlight-reel shootout moves and had a handful of productive seasons.

"Kuzy's a great guy. I loved having him here," Connor McMichael said. "He was always so fun and always bringing a lot of energy to the group."

"Kuzy had a lot of great moments here... it'll be special," Hendrix Lapierre added. "Looks like he's doing pretty well in Carolina and having fun. I think we're all happy for him."

Lapierre also said that Kuznetsov helped him incorporate a lot more into his game and grow as a center. It's paid off for the 22-year-old, who has all but cemented a full-time role on the Capitals roster.

"I tried to kind of look at what he does, especially his offensive game. What makes him so good and so smart with the puck. He was great every time I had questions," Lapierre said. "He was always there for me. I'm just happy for him right now."

Off the ice, his fun-loving personality and sense of humor shined through, but he also served as a mentor to the organization's rising players.

"Kuzy was a part of this organization for a long, long time, and it's gonna be weird to play against him," Martin Fehervary said. "He was great to me. He was kind of older guy when I got here, and he was still teaching me things, showing me around, helping me with a car and stuff like that. I really appreciate how much he's done for me. It's gonna be really, really strange."

"Kuz was always great to me. Someone that you know, fun-loving, around the rink, seemed to show up every single day with a smile on his face and had an enjoyable attitude around," Beck Malenstyn added. "He was super welcoming to the young guys when they would come in, so nothing but good things to say about him. Happy to see him doing well.

While it'll be nice to reunite with an old teammate, Washington knows it needs to look out for No. 92 when he's on the ice and be ready to shut him down, especially with every point counting going forward in the playoff race.

"Nothing really changes; it's another good hockey team," Nic Dowd pointed out.

"People get moved around, you end up against your old teammates and it's something you can laugh about after the game, but once that puck drops, there's a main focus. You don't really think about it too much," Malenstyn added.