Top Capitals Player Requests Trade, Refusing to go Through a Rebuild

PUBLICATION

Mackenzie Stern-Kolesnikow
March 25, 2023 (6:41 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

According to a recent report from Match TV, Kuznetsov has requested a trade from the Capitals. Kuznetsov first requested a trade 2 years ago.

Kuznetsov wants to leave the Capitals

As it became known to Match TV, Washington forward Evgeny Kuznetsov wants to leave the club of his own free will.

On Friday, the North American media reported that Washington could trade Kuznetsov in the offseason. However, as it became known to Match TV, Kuznetsov himself has been asking the Capitals for an exchange for the second year through his agent. Previously, the capital club was not ready for this."

There is a reason for this trade request, it appears that the relationship between Kuznetsov and the Capitals has deteriorated. It was reported that the Captials explored the possibility of trading Kuznetsov during the 2021 offseason because he began to annoy some of the members of the Capitals.

It was added by Elliotte Friedman, a reporter for Sportsnet, that Kuznetsov and Samsonov were late for a team meeting, which caused the Capitals to lose more patience with him.

Brian MacLellan, the GM for the Capitals, did not deny these reports, stating that:

«I think we're always open to trading people if it makes sense for what's going on if it makes our team better,» MacLellan said in 2021. «I don't think anybody's off the table. We're not going to trade Ovi or Backy, those types of people, but you have to be open on anything. So we would talk to anybody about any player.»

Kuznetsov still has two more years on his contract that carries a $7.8 million cap hit. His contract also has a modified no-trade clause that allows him to submit a 10-team no-trade list.

Fans have witnessed the Capitals decrease Kuznetsov's role this season, he was moved to the second line, and was replaced on the first line by Dylan Strome. His stats have also drastically decreased, he used to be a near point-per-game player back in the 2021-2022 season, recording 78 points in 79 games. The Capitals are also currently set to miss the playoffs for the first time in nine years.

Kuznetsov has also found himself in trouble off the ice. He has been suspended for drug use, contracted COVID twice, and he has also faced a team-levied suspension for bad behaviour.

It seems that both parties want the same thing, but the real question is what team will take Kuznetsov?

As seen on RMNB - Kuznetsov has reportedly requested a trade, first asked the Capitals two years ago