Kuznetsov was named an alternate captain and also had an assist in an interclub preseason game with SKA.
Ex-Washington Capitals star Evgeny Kuznetsov is hitting the ground running as he makes his transition to the KHL and showed that he's still got it as he took the ice and showcased his signature moves with SKA St. Petersburg.
As part of their preseason training, SKA split their team into two — Team White and Team Blue — for an interclub scrimmage on Thursday. Kuznetsov picked up an assist and also got to participate in a shootout, where he brought back the signature "Kuzy Crawl" that made him famous — and infamous — at the NHL level.
To start his attempt, he'll drift out wide and go slow, but keep a forward motion with the puck and deking multiple times. He'll then creep in and shoot when he sees that he has an open target.
Kuznetsov scored on his attempt, and his team also got a 4-1 win. The 32-year-old center was named an alternate captain for Team White.
Last year, Kuznetsov opened up about his signature move in an exclusive 1-on-1 with The Hockey News, explaining that a lot goes into pulling off the move.
"It's a lot of things, a lot of stuff that goes (into it), from the video, stuff like that. And some of the goalies that I played before, I know how they're going to play. It feels like whatever you do, you gotta hide the finishing part," Kuznetsov said.
The move has received some critiques over the years, with Wayne Gretzky calling for it to be banned and others pointing out that it was unfair to goaltenders, but it hasn't stopped Kuznetsov.
"I don't give a f--- what they think," he said of his critics with a laugh, but then more seriously explained, "I know people may not like, but you know, so far it's been working for me."
Kuznetsov is back in Russia playing in the KHL after terminating the final year of his NHL contract and signing a four-year deal with SKA.
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