Evgeny Kuznetsov hits career low, sets unfortunate record.
Evgeny Kuznetsov's situation continues to get worse as it seems the Washington Capitals are looking to move on.
The Washington Capitals appear to be fully committed to moving on from veteran forward Evgeny Kuznetsov, and on Sunday they took yet another step in that direction.
National Hockey League insider Elliotte Friedman is now reporting that Kuznetsov has cleared waivers after no team in the NHL submitted a claim for the troubled forward, no surprise given the combination of a recent decline in play and his current off-ice issues.
Additionally, the Capitals have confirmed that they have now loaned Kuznetsov to their affiliate in the American Hockey League, the Hershey Bears, and Kuznetsov will now be expected to report to the AHL for the first time in his professional hockey career.
I have to believe that this will be a serious wake up call for the 31 year old Russian forward who now unquestionably finds himself at a low point in his career, but if that isn't enough this next detail may do it. According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, this will now make Kuznetsov, assuming he reports to the Hershey Bears, the highest salaried player to ever be rostered for an AHL game.
Needless to say that isn't a record to be proud of.
To make matters even worse, there may not be a path to redemption for Kuznetsov here... at least not in Washington. Comments made by Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan following his decision to waive Kuznetsov certainly did not make it sound like he remains in the organization's plans moving forward.
"It’s about a fresh start for Kuzy, first of all," said MacLellan. "He’s been looking for a change in environment and this might set the wheels in motion for that to be accomplished."
