Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin Addresses Potential Reunion with Evgeny Kuznetsov originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Evgeny Kuznetsov is eyeing a return to the NHL next season, but don’t count on former teammate and Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin lobbying for a reunion in the nation’s capital.
Kuznetsov, who terminated his KHL contract with SKA Saint Petersburg in April, is an unrestricted free agent. His agent, Shumi Babaev, confirmed ongoing talks with several NHL teams and ruled out any Kuznetsov interest in signing a professional tryout.
According to Babaev, the former NHL forward’s focus is solely on inking a one-year guaranteed contract.
“(Kuznetsov) asked for my opinion, and I’ve always said that the NHL is where he belongs,” Babaev told RG Media about the veteran’s potential comeback to the NHL for the 2025-26 season.
Evgeny Kuznetsov intends to make an NHL comeback next season. pic.twitter.com/73bjtN2Sfs
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) June 26, 2025
Despite speculation linking the 33-year-old’s NHL comeback to a potential arrival in Washington, Ovechkin was asked about that possibility and made it clear the decision isn’t his to make.
“Can Evgeny return to Washington? This is not a question for me, but for his agent,” Ovechkin said, via Gazeta-ru. “He has his own head on his shoulders. God willing, he signs a contract with a club and shows his level either in the NHL or the KHL.”
Ovechkin also distanced himself from any front office speculation linking him to forcing Washington’s hand to land Kuznetsov.
“I’m not a manager,” Ovechkin said. “This is business, this is the NHL. Everyone understands that there might be some trades. But we’ll see. Washington’s scouts and general manager are some of the best. They evaluate whether a player is right for us.”
Kuznetsov played 11 seasons in D.C., winning a Stanley Cup along with Ovechkin in 2018. The Capitals traded Kuznetsov to the Carolina Hurricanes midway through the 2023-24 season, and he left the NHL before the start of last season.
The former Capitals player is coming off a strong showing in Russia, where he posted 37 points in 39 games in the 2024-25 campaign.
According to NHL insider David Pagnotta, the veteran is willing to accept a $1 million–2 million “prove-it” deal with performance bonuses.
Related: Alex Ovechkin Responds to Michael Jordan Comparisons After Record-Breaking Season
Related: Agent Reveals ‘View’ on Evgeny Kuznetsov’s NHL Situation
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
