ARLINGTON, VA. – The Washington Capitals have re-signed 23-year old Russian-playmaker Evgeny Kuznetsov to a two-year, $6 million contract. Senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced the signing Monday at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex.
Kuznetsov tallied 37 points (11 goals, 26 assists) in 80 games with the Capitals last season, marking the most points a Capitals rookie has registered in a season since John Carlson put up 37 points himself back in 2010-11. Kuznetsov recorded seven points (five goals, two assists) in 14 games with the Capitals during the 2015 playoffs. He scored two goals and added an assist in Game 5 against the New York Islanders in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, marking his first three career playoff points. He led all Capitals rookies in goals (11), assists (26), points (37) and games played (80).
The Capitals had an eventful Fourth of July weekend in the Nation's Capital by signing UFA Justin Williams, and traded Troy Brouwer, Pheonix Copley and a 2016 3rd round pick to the St. Louis Blues for veteran T.J. Oshie.
With the departure of some key faces in the clubhouse like: Brouwer, Joel Ward, Eric Fehr and Mike Green, it was key for MacLellan and his staff to bring back the new line of Capitals poised to make a run to hoist Lord Stanley's Cup in the coming years. His first re-signing of Jay Beagle gave the Caps a solid-fourth line center and peantly killer. Then they went and re-signed two defensemen in soaring-prospect Stanislav Galiev and veteran Taylor Chorney to help strengthen the depth in the blueline.
Kuznetsov, who scored the game-winning goal to beat the Islanders in Game 7, will likely be paired with fellow Game 7 hero and newly-aquirred Justin Williams on the Capitals second line with the likes of Marcus Johannsson joining them. These moves make the Capitals one of the most skilled clubs next year all throughout the league and an early favorite to win the Stanley Cup.
MacLellan's main focus now should be trying to re-sign restricted free agents Braden Holtby and Marcus Johansson, who both can continue to be key parts of the Capitals success going forward if re-signed. Washington has just over $11 million to work with before hitting the NHL's 2015-2016 Salary Cap limit.