Although healthy, Evgeny Kuznetsov will be sidelined tonight

Throughout his career, Evgeny Kuznetsov has proven time and again that he can be an excellent NHL player.

The Capitals’ forward is undeniably talented… but he has been criticized for his inconsistency over the past few years.

The Russian has nine points in 19 games this season, and we expect more from him in Washington. So Spencer Carbery decided to send him a message: Kuznetsov will be left out tonight, even if he’s healthy, when the Caps travel to Arizona to take on the Coyotes.

The club’s head coach maintains that his player needs a ” mental reset”:

Evgeny Kuznetsov asked to be traded this summer.

His agent even stated that the player has wanted to change teams for a long time because he’s no longer happy when he plays hockey.

Could this explain his setbacks?

There’s a world out there where Kuznetsov is unhappy in Washington right now… But that doesn’t excuse the fact that he’s performing below expectations.

The forward earns a salary of $7.8 million per season, after all. And at that amount, he has to be able to find a way to help his team on the ice.

Plus, the Capitals are good and off to a good start. It can be difficult morally, when your team loses night after night… But that’s not the case in Washington right now.

Kuznetsov’s contract expires at the end of the 24-25 season, and he has a no-trade clause. He has the right to submit a list of 10 teams he doesn’t want to be traded to…

But the player’s value can’t be huge right now. I find it hard to see any club being interested in the Russian’s services, as he’s been slowing down for the past two years and doesn’t seem to be focused on finding success on the ice.

Especially since he earns too much for what he brings to an NHL club right now.

In gusto

– Vinzenz Rohrer won’t be taking part in the CMJ.

– Joe Pavelski is aging like a fine wine…

– Well deserved.

– It’s a big deal in the National League.

– Logical.