Panthers Eye Evgeny Kuznetsov as Aleksander Barkov Replacement

Daria Tuboltseva of RG reported on Saturday that Kuznetsov is awaiting Toronto’s decision on a potential deal, and confirmed Florida is “also an option” if the Maple Leafs pass.

“According to RG, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers are both actively considering the possibility of signing the 33-year-old forward,” Tuboltseva wrote. “The Panthers, in particular, could view him as a timely replacement for captain Aleksander Barkov, who recently underwent surgery and is expected to be out of action for 7–9 months.

“Evgeny wants to play in the NHL,” a source told RG. “Right now he’s waiting on Toronto’s decision, though Florida is also an option.”

The timing of this report couldn't have aligned better with the Panthers’ needs entering the 2025-26 season. Barkov’s absence creates a hole down the middle, and the club will need reinforcements as they chase a third straight Stanley Cup.

The 33-year-old Kuznetsov is no stranger to top-six responsibilities, having produced 568 points in 723 NHL games over 11 seasons with the Washington Capitals, including a pivotal role in their 2018 championship.

Kuznetsov's most recent NHL stint, on a much lesser role, came in 2023–24, when he split time between Washington and Carolina, still managing 24 points in 63 games.

After terminating his KHL contract with SKA Saint Petersburg in April, Kuznetsov has been pursuing an NHL return. He collected 37 points in 39 games last season in Russia despite two concussions. His agent, Shumi Babaev, insists multiple teams remain interested.

“There are many teams with whom we have already held talks. More than 10 clubs,” Babaev said.

Speculation about a KHL move back to Metallurg Magnitogorsk surfaced earlier this month, but Babaev dismissed it.

“That’s just a rumor. We haven’t had any talks with Metallurg,” Babaev told Tuboltseva. The veteran center, Babaev added, is focused solely on resuming his NHL career.