Evgeny Kuznetsov was full of gratitude during his Breaktdown Day interview on Saturday.
Kuznetsov, who ended up with the Carolina Hurricanes after being traded by the Washington Capitals at the trade deadline, finished the season strong and became a Canes fan favorite after struggling through the first half of the season and log in to NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance. program in February. Of his deal with Carolina, Kuznetsov previously called it his “last chance” in the NHL.
“It was a beautiful opportunity for me,” Kuznetsov told href=”https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/video/in-the-room-kuznetsov-6353186926112″>days after the Hurricanes were eliminated by the New York Rangers in the second round. “I wanted to thank the people who made this happen on both sides. I came in trying to be me, trying to help the team win.
“It’s a lot of emotions, right? I feel very grateful for the opportunity to be here and continue playing in the NHL. It’s just hard to articulate the words because I’m still mentally in Game 6. I usually don’t care about the game that long and I usually don’t think about the game that long. Man, that game is still in my head and something I’ll probably have to do something with for sure; That game for me personally was disgusting.”
Carolina’s heartbreaking loss to the Rangers in Game 6 was the subject of Kuznetsov’s final press release of the year. The Hurricanes led 3-1 heading into the third period and gave up four unanswered goals to New York in a collapse that sent them packing for summer vacation.
After a nine-year period in which they missed the playoffs entirely, Carolina has been a part of the postseason for six consecutive seasons. They have been to the Eastern Conference Finals twice during that span, but were eliminated in those series in just four games in both 2019 and 2023.
This season they entered the playoffs with as deep a roster as ever after the deadline. Acquisitions included Kuznetsov and Pittsburgh Penguins star Jake Guentzel.
“Unfortunately, it’s a bit of a bitter taste at the end of the year, especially when we were down 3-0; let’s get at least one so it doesn’t look bad,” Kuznetsov said. “So we get one, we get the second one. Right before Game 6, probably 36 hours in, he was driving around thinking. Usually you lose, you go home, you’re kind of happy, but for some reason before Game 6 I felt like, man, this is going to suck because of the way we turned the series around and started to play better.
“It actually sucked, so after the game it was pretty tough and it’s still one of those games I’ll probably never forget. I think we deserve to have a Game 7. Maybe we lose it or win it, whatever it is, but at least we deserve to win that Game 6, but unfortunately that wasn’t enough. I know this group may never be the same again and it’s still a new group for me, right? “I just hope this summer helps us be better and come back even stronger.”
Kuznetsov scored the winning goal in Game 5 to force an extra game, but head coach Rod Brind’Amour only gave him 11:55 of ice time in the series decider. His ice time was only ahead of Jesperi Kotkaniemi (10:51) and Stefan Noesen (9:56) for Carolina. Brind’Amour also eliminated him for Game 2 early in the series.
“It’s one of those things where what else can I do? Complain, cry or it can be me, help the team, come back every day and help the team win,” Kuznetsov said. “So for me it was difficult. It’s hard to perform and be myself, but I tried my best to do what was best for the team. Yes that’s where they need me right now. “I will be there and if something happens, I will be ready for anything.”
When asked to recount his favorite moment with the club, Kuznetsov described the rollercoaster few days with the Capitals’ AHL affiliate Hershey Bears and his immediate move to join the Hurricanes after an AHL bus ride from 7 hours.
“Yeah, probably the first day when I flew from Charlotte here,” Kuznetsov said. “That was amazing. At 11:30 I was still in Charlotte and at 1 I was practicing here after missing like 45 days. I did a couple of practices in Hershey, twelve hours of bus ride and stuff like that. That whole week will be unforgettable”.
Kuznetsov has one season left on his current contract, costing the Hurricanes $3.9 million against the salary cap. Washington retained 50 percent of the final year in the deadline deal. He is one of nine forwards currently on Carolina’s roster who are signed for next season.
Carolina will likely go with a similar core, as they re-signed Brind’Amour to a five-year extension. All Brind’Amour attendees were also expanded.
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