Is Evgeny Kuznetsov a Fit for the Avalanche?

After spending a year in Russia, Evgeny Kuznetsov wants back into the NHL, and is fielding UFA offers ahead of the upcoming season.

I haven’t spent much time considering him as a fit for the Avalanche, but enough people have asked that I thought I’d share my thoughts on him.

The Avalanche are among hockey’s betting favorites for the 2026 Stanley Cup at +950, but they have lineup needs.

Kuznetsov, 33, had a rather unceremonious ending to his tenure with the Washington Capitals. Once one of their top forwards, and arguably the best player during their 2018 Stanley Cup championship run, Kuznetsov was given away for free, with salary retention, to the Carolina Hurricanes ahead of the 2024 NHL trade deadline. Rather than playing out the last year of his contract, Kuznetsov opted to terminate his deal and make his way to the KHL.

He finished the 2023-24 NHL season with just eight goals and 18 assists in 63 games split between Washington and Carolina — albeit he was much better in the playoffs, scoring four goals and adding two assists in 10 games for the Hurricanes.

But it’s still a far cry from the guy he was before. It’s not his skill or speed that had diminished, rather it was off-ice issues and carelessness that led to his drop-off. Last year Kuznetsov posted 37 points in 39 games with SKA St. Petersburg.

Should the Avs entertain the idea of signing him? I struggle with how to feel about this, and I’ll try my best to explain.

Ultimately, I just don’t think it’s a good fit. The Avalanche fortified just enough this summer despite not being one of the big free agent winners in the free agent market.

Kuznetsov’s reputation has not been great since winning the Stanley Cup. In 2019, he was suspended for three games by the NHL and handed a four-year IIHF ban after a positive cocaine test. Then, during the COVID shortened season, videos circulated online, appearing to show the Russian forward with cocaine in his possession. Kuznetsov denied using cocaine at the time.

He went on to have the second-best season of his career in 2021-22, posting 78 points in 79 games. That was followed up with 55 points the following year before his epic fall in 2024.

Given the Avs’ recent failed experiments with guys like Ryan Johansen and Tomas Tatar, I can’t see Kuznetsov being a fit. He’s near the end of his career, has won a Stanley Cup, and is too risky of an addition for a player that might not have the drive that the Avalanche’s core expects from teammates.

You also can’t ignore his drug issues, and the possibility of him being one of the only Russian-speaking teammates for Valeri Nichushkin to connect with. The Avs have spent years helping Nichushkin through his own personal issues. It would be best to not allow him any reason to not continue those improvements.

And I mean that with all due respect to Nichushkin, Kuznetsov, or anyone who might struggle with addiction or drug abuse.

On the ice, Kuznetsov would be a great addition to the third line. He has the talent to produce and would probably have solid chemistry with Ross Colton against lesser competition. He’d also be a great piece to insert into the top six if or when injuries arise.

But off the ice, the risks just aren’t worth it.

If the Avs do end up signing Kuznetsov, I hope they have done enough homework to ensure that he’s committed to this. He could really boost a team if his mindset is right.