Former Stanley Cup Champion Looking to Sign With a Contender, Would Fit Perfectly in Toronto

After another productive season in the books with SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL, former Stanley Cup champion centre Evgeny Kuznetsov is looking to make a return to the NHL with a few stipulations that would favour teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs.

According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, Kuznetsov is willing to sign with a contender that is looking to add to their roster on a low-term contract worth anywhere between $1 and $2 million dollars.

It had been reported that Kuznetsov had interest in joining the Montreal Canadiens. However, they quickly informed his agent they would not be pursuing the 33-year-old this summer, and instead signed free agent centre Joe Veleno.

A reunion in Washington is also off the table according to the same report, leaving not many other teams as likely candidates outside of maybe Carolina and Toronto.

With the Leafs, Kuznetsov would slide in as a candidate to centre the third line as well as getting reps on the power play with a slight chance he sees time on the top unit from time to time based on his track record. At his peak, Kuznetsov collected 150 power play points in 8 seasons between 2016 and 2023. His shootout success is also a potential asset.

Kuznetsov struggled in his final season in the NHL before jetting off to the KHL, where he scored 8 goals and 24 points in 63 games with Washington and Carolina. His contract was eventually terminated by the Hurricanes, whereupon he joined SKA St. Petersburg.

He looked a lot like his former self with 12 goals and 37 points in 39 games, showing shades of his prime with the Capitals where he scored 139 goals and 450 points in 502 games between 2015 and 2022.

As a cost effective centre, the Maple Leafs would be wise to at least look at the option with how their roster is currently constructed.