The Washington Capitals have their new bench boss. Is it enough to save one of their stars?

Evgeny Kuznetsov is the Washington Capitals' biggest mystery right now.

The 31-year-old remains the center of speculation and criticism as the offseason rolls on following what general manager Brian MacLellan called a disappointing season, a reported trade request (that Kuznetsov somewhat denied as he said he still sees himself as having a future in D.C.), a change in agents and the organization's desire to revamp the top-6.

Kuznetsov finished with 55 points in 81 games this season for the lowest point-per-game pace since his sophomore season, and his plus-minus nosedived to a minus-26. His effort was called into question at times as he failed to find consistency, and in May, friend and hockey agent Sergei Fedotov said that Kuznetsov was disinterested in D.C.

Right now, it appears both sides could be headed toward a divorce as his name pops up on trade boards league-wide, though a deal won't come easy. He has two years left on his contract at $7.8 million, and his value isn't the highest right now.

While moving on Kuznetsov could be a desirable option for MacLellan as the team retools on the fly, the hiring of Spencer Carbery could be a difference-maker when it comes to No. 92.

That's because, looking at the situation as a whole, Carbery could be exactly what the struggling center needs.

Carbery is an engaging coach who emphasizes the importance of everyone buying in and being on the same page. That means playing with speed and making sure all five players on the ice are paying attention to detail, communicating and putting in a consistent, strong effort shift after shift.

"The connected term is something I'll use a lot with our group," Carbery said Thursday.

That philosophy could work wonders for a player like Kuznetsov, who has shown that he can be a strong puck carrier and has the speed and ability to make an impact. All he needs to do is apply it on the ice and mesh well with his linemates, and the rest will figure itself out.

Not only does Carbery want everyone to stay connected, but he is very hands-on when it comes to coaching players and likes to establish a transparent and motivating dynamic between him and his players.

Kuznetsov had what head coach Peter Laviolette referred to as an "honest" relationship with the former bench boss, and at times, there were bumps in the road. The Russian was scratched for disciplinary reasons back in 2021, and this season, amid inconsistency, he received a demotion to the bottom-6 and once even skated on the fourth line.

With a new coach, Kuznetsov will be able to start new and also form a relationship with a coach that will work hard to help him reach his highest level. Kuznetsov has shown that he has the talent and ability to be one of the NHL's elite players; it's just a matter of applying it on the ice and putting the work in.

Carbery's approach won't allow for Kuznetsov not to utilize his full skillset and reach his full potential, which is why keeping him around and seeing how he gels with the 41-year-old first-time NHL bench boss could be worth it.

“I think my job coming in here, we have a highly motivated group of veteran players, leadership group, and we also have a group of players that it’s my job to bring along into that group... you’ve got a group of veteran players that feel like they got a bit of a chip on their shoulder and they’re ready to prove something, that we’re still a very strong team in the National Hockey League," Carbery said, adding, "That’s what I’m trying to bring together and make sure that we compete at a real high level.”

Also, Carbery's style could help Kuznetsov rekindle his joy for the game, which Fedotov said back in May that he's lost in D.C. And, if that's the case, then Kuznetsov, who has always emphasized the importance of having fun on the ice and smiling all the time, will achieve what he knows he's capable of.

In the end, Carbery alone could be the answer for Kuznetsov and work wonders just as much as a change of scenery would.