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Evgeny Kuznetzov Set to Make Public Appearance in NHL City: Is His Next Team Known?

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Tom Banks | Last updated Jul 23, 2025 5:44 PM ET

Evgeny Kuznetsov is set to make his return to the NHL this off-season, and now it appears he may be on the verge of returning to Washington after an announcement.

From 2013 to 2023, Evgeny Kuznetsov was a key piece of the Washington Capitals, tallying 568 points in that time, including a career high 83 points the year that they claimed their only Stanley Cup in franchise history.

In 2023/24 however, the team traded him away to the Carolina Hurricanes before the Russian centre returned home to the KHL for the 2024/25 campaign, posting 12 goals and 37 points in 39 games with SKA St. Petersburg in that time.

Now, a return to the NHL has been rumoured for the entire off-season after his return to North America, and while there's been plenty of speculation, we're yet to learn anything that could tell us where he will play next season.

That question may have just been answered however, as a report has revealed that Kuznetsov will be attending an autograph signing alongside John Carlson and Logan Thompson, both of whom are current Washington Capitals.

While nothing is guaranteed, it would make sense that Kuznetsov would want to return to the team he spent the first decade of his career with, and given their need for a centre in the bottom-six, a veteran with over 800 total NHL games under his belt makes perfect sense.

Only time will tell if Kuznetsov does officially return to the Capitals in free agency, but it's a move that makes sense for both parties, and with some money to spend, don't be shocked to see a big time reunion become official before training camp begins.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

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