With Capitals Reportedly Ready To Part Ways With Mantha, Kuznetsov's Future Remains A Question

Evgeny Kuznetsov and the Capitals are at a crossroads. What's next for him with Anthony Mantha reportedly being shopped?

The Washington Capitals are starting to check boxes off their lengthy to-do list as the long offseason drags on, but one question that still looms large is what's next for Evgeny Kuznetsov.

General manager Brian MacLellan has reportedly turned his attention to reevaluating the roster with the team locking down Spencer Carbery as the new head coach, and the team is reportedly ready to part ways with Anthony Mantha. That being said, what's next for Kuznetsov, whose future also hangs in the balance?

Following a promising bounceback year in 2021-22, Kuznetsov had a disappointing 2022-23 campaign that saw him put up 55 points in 81 games. His scoring pace dropped from nearly a point-per-game to .67, the lowest of his career since his sophomore season. Not only that but his plus/minus took a nosedive, going from plus-7 in 2021-22 to minus-26 this past season. His shooting percentage of seven was also the lowest of his career.

With the exception of 2021-22, Kuznetsov's performance over the last few seasons has been far from impressive. He hasn't been able to replicate his star-studded play that helped lead the Capitals to the Stanley Cup back in 2018, and his effort and consistency have become the subject of criticism, and he also ran into some disciplinary issues.

It also feels as if there's growing tension between him and the organization, as he reportedly requested a trade while new comments have emerged about his feelings toward the organization.

Kuznetsov reportedly requested a trade from Washington but declined to go in-depth on that speculation while stating that he had no idea where the claims came from. He also switched agents, who are reportedly set to meet with the team this offseason.

Then, at the start of May, hockey agent Sergei Fedotov, a close friend of Kuznetsov's, said on a Russian podcast that Kuznetsov is disinterested and disengaged with the organization and that he doesn't have the same spark in his game as he once did with the Capitals.

"I've known Zhenya for a very long time... there are people who are quite disciplined. Zhenya's not in this category," Fedotov said on Bettman Will Call, adding, "Right now, he doesn't have this joy from hockey. And Kuznetsov, without a spark, he's not interested in anything."

Taking all of that into account, the relationship between both parties seems to be rocky right now, as Kuznetsov's name has ended up on trade boards.

So now what?

Well, Kuznetsov has two years remaining on his contract at $7.8 million. His trade value isn't exactly the highest right now, and that contract will be difficult to move.

However, if Washington wants to get younger and faster while starting to retool for the future, then shipping him out may be the best bet.

Still, there are benefits to keeping No. 92 around. He has showcased his talent, speed, quick hands and hockey IQ, and it's just a matter of applying it. Not only that, but he has shown that he can be a 70-plus point player if he puts the effort in.

He also said at the end of the season that he was battling some ailments over the course of the campaign and that he is confident he can come back stronger and find a fix to his problems.

"I have to work on [it]. There's a lot of time to think about and refocus," Kuznetsov said. "But I'm pretty sure I'm going to find a solution."

At the same time, with Carbery taking over as the head coach, it could be worth it to see if he can bring Kuznetsov back to his highest level of play. Carbery is a hands-on coach who has a good relationship with his players and places emphasis on everyone being on the same page while establishing a buy-in culture. That could potentially benefit Kuznetsov as much as a change of scenery.

When it comes to the Russians, there are several paths to take and benefits and consequences to both sides of the coin. Still, Kuznetsov did mention that he still sees himself as having a future in D.C., so a departure isn't necessarily the next step despite the outside noise.