Evgeny Kuznetsov is leaving the NHL and returning home

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TJ Tucker
July 15, 2024 (1:46 PM)

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After 11 seasons in the NHL, Evgeny Kuznetsov has reportedly signed a long-term deal back home in Russia, effectively ending his NHL career

A very well-known name in the NHL is reportedly calling it quits on his career in North America. Reports out of Russia state Evgeny Kuznetsov will sign a four-year deal with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL.

"Per championat.com Evgeni Kuznetsov is set to sign a 4-year contract with SKA as soon as he terminates his agreement with the Hurricanes #CauseChaos #Canes."

According to Championnat.com, Kuznetsov is currently working on an agreement with the Carolina Hurricanes to terminate the one year remaining on his NHL contract, at which point the deal with SKA will be announced.

"Kuznetsov currently has a valid contract with Carolina, which runs until the end of the 2024/2025 season. The deal will be officially announced after the hockey player resolves his contractual issues with Carolina."

Despite a great NHL career where he can boost of being a Stanley Cup Champion (2018 with the Washington) and a two-time NHL All-Star, Kuznetsov's time in the league also had some very low points. In 2019, he was suspended from international competition for four years after testing positive for cocaine. He also earned himself a three-game suspension from the NHL, and entered the league's Player Assistance program. Last season, he demanded a trade from the Washington Capitals as his stats dwindled, and was sent to the Carolina Hurricanes, with the Caps retaining 50 percent of his salary.

SKA St. Petersburg is an absolutely stacked team by KHL standards, and will only get better with the addition of Kuznetsov.