Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke — Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/1f1f25ba-0670-486b-86cc-51843684dc09.jpeg] Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke — Imagn Images As ex-Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov attempts an NHL comeback this coming season, he has a handful of supporters, including Alex Ovechkin. Ovechkin spoke on his former teammate in an interview with Gazeta.ru [https://www.gazeta.ru/sport/news/2025/07/19/26307008.shtml?updated], and though he couldn't answer whether or not he would play again in Washington, he voiced support for Kuznetsov. "He has a good head on his shoulders," Ovechkin said, per a DeepL translation. "God willing, he'll sign a contract with a team and prove himself either in the NHL or KHL." Kuznetsov last played in the NHL in 2023-24, when he was waived and subsequently traded by the Capitals to the Carolina Hurricanes after he put up just 17 points through the first 43 games of the season while also spending time in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. The 33-year-old and the Hurricanes agreed to mutually terminate his NHL contract at the end of last season as he returned to Russia to play in the KHL. He signed a four-year deal with SKA St. Petersburg, but after putting up 37 points in 39 games and dealing with ongoing struggles and coaching issues, terminated his contract there. Now, Kuznetsov is eyeing a return to the NHL, and his agent, Shumi Babayev, said that they are taking their time with the process and that there are a handful of teams showing intereset in the center. Over 11 years with the Capitals, Kuznetsov had 171 goals and 397 assists for 568 points. In 743 total NHL games, he has racked up 575 points.
