Carolina Hurricanes Place Evgeny Kuznetsov on Waivers to End Contract
On Wednesday, the Carolina Hurricanes placed Evgeny Kuznetsov on unconditional waivers to terminate his contract, concluding the talented yet inconsistent center’s tumultuous NHL career.
Kuznetsov was due $6 million of his $8-million salary for the final season of his $64.2-million, seven-year contract signed in 2017. He will forfeit this amount but retains a $2-million bonus paid earlier in the month.
“Ultimately both sides agreed this was the best course of action for both the player and the team,” said general manager Eric Tulsky. “We thank Evgeny for his time with the team and wish him and his family the best.”
Reports surfaced earlier in the week suggesting Kuznetsov planned to terminate his contract mutually and return to Russia to play for SKA Saint Petersburg in the KHL. This move required agreement from both parties unless the Hurricanes waited for a buyout window later in the summer when one of their restricted free agent arbitration cases was settled.
Kuznetsov’s agent, Craig Oster, did not respond to requests for comment on the mutual termination or his client’s future plans.
The Hurricanes acquired Kuznetsov from Washington before the trade deadline in March, with the Capitals retaining half of his $7.8-million salary cap hit. Kuznetsov’s departure eliminates the $3.9-million cap obligation for both teams.
Kuznetsov was the leading scorer and Conn Smythe runner-up during the Capitals’ 2018 Stanley Cup run but has since been inconsistent, frequently involved in trade rumors. He recorded 13 points in 30 games in a limited role with the Hurricanes, who reached the second round, and was even made a healthy scratch by coach Rod Brind’Amour during the playoff series against the New York Rangers.
Kuznetsov’s issues extended beyond the ice. In September 2019, he was suspended for three games without pay for “inappropriate conduct,” following a four-year ban from playing for Russia due to a positive test for cocaine.
