The Capitals center said he prefers older gear.
ARLINGTON, V.A. — When Evgeny Kuznetsov takes the ice, one of the first things that comes to mind are the giant gray pads around his hips decorated with vintage "Nike Bauer" logos, calling into question what exactly Kuznetsov is wearing.
They're kidney guards, and they're part of the vintage Nike Bauer Supreme One90 girdle. Nike sold Bauer in February 2008, and Nike's classic swish on Kuznetsov's girdle is filled in.
The girdle itself, according to Kuznetsov, is as old as his NHL career, and there's quite the story as to how exactly he stumbled upon the gear.
In fact, he quite literally stumbled upon it.
"This girdle is 12 years old. It's the one that people before me have it," he told The Hockey News with a grin, then pointed out into the open of the Capitals' dressing room. "I found that over there."
After finding it in the team's facility and making sure he wasn't taking it from anyone else — and that there weren't any other suitors — he started using it. He's since been a firm believer in wearing a girdle and shell over pants.
"It's loose, way looser... it just feels better for me," he explained.
Though not many see the kidney guards as openly, the Supreme One90 is a classic girdle that is perhaps more common than people think; it's all just a matter of how it's worn, and Kuznetsov prefers to tuck his jersey into the kidney guards rather than pull it over. The inside of the girdle features adequate protection and padding, and it's held up for the Russian since he adopted it earlier in his career.
As to whether or not he plans to change things up, Kuznetsov prefers the antiques.
"I don't like the new stuff," he said. "I'm trying to look for the old stuff more."