Evgeny Kuznetsov On Reports of Trade Request: “I’m Happy Here and I Like The Guys, I Like Everything. But You Never Know, It’s Not Always On Me”
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Over the weekend, a report out of Russia emerged that alleged Washington Capitals Center Evgeny Kuznetsov had requested a trade out of D.C.. The 2010 first-round pick of the team addressed the report following the team’s practice on Monday.
Kuznetsov, who has played 672 games over parts of 10 seasons in Washington, denied the report’s authenticity, saying “You know how it is. It’s just people trying to put some whatever they want to get the likes on Instagram or tweet or whatever.”, via NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti.
Kuznestsov:
“You know how it is. It’s just people trying to put some whatever they want to get the likes on Instagram or tweet or whatever.
“I spoke to those people, and I said, ‘Where is this coming from?’ So …. at this point, there is nothing to even talk about.”
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) March 27, 2023
Kuznetsov, who has seen his average ice time dip to 18:11 from 20:17 in 2021-22 and recorded 53 Points in 73 Games Played (down from 78 Points in 78 Games Played a season ago), also stated that “there’s nothing really to put the comments on”, and told reporters that he had addressed the report with the publishers, “I spoke to those people, and I said, ‘Where is this coming from?’ So…at this point, there is nothing to even talk about.”
Kuznetsov on his reported trade request: “You know how it is: It’s just people trying to…get the likes on Instagram or Twitter or whatever. I spoke to those people, and was like, ‘Where did this come from?’ …At this point, there is nothing to even talk about.” #Caps
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) March 27, 2023
Despite the rumors swirling about a trade and trade request, the 26th overall pick in 2010, who ranks sixth in franchise history in Assists and ninth in Points, says he is happy in Washington and his current situation, but also pointed out the business side of the game.
Kuznetsov on if he sees his future with the Capitals beyond this season:
“Yeah. Of course. Both kids grow up here, born here and I’m happy here and I like the guys. I like everything. But you never know. It’s not always on me.”
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) March 27, 2023
With the Caps currently sitting in sixth in the Metropolitan Division with a 34-32-8 record and six points out of the final Wild Card playoff spot, the 2023 offseason will likely be one of continued transformation for the team, Kuznetsov included.
By Michael Fleetwood