The first trade of deadline day was a trade that almost nobody saw coming, as the Carolina Hurricanes swung a deal with the Washington Capitals to bring in Evgeny Kuznetsov just a day after bringing in Jake Guentzel from the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Per TSN's Pierre LeBrun, the Hurricanes will be bringing Kuznetsov in at 50% of his $7.8M cap hit, so he'll carry a $3.9M cap hit for the Canes this year and next. In exchange for Kuznetsov, the Hurricanes have sent a 3rd round pick in 2025 back to the Capitals in the deal.
Kuznetsov has had another tough season in Washington, entering the Player Assistance program earlier this year and then being waived and demoted by the Capitals on the same day he was released from the program.
Kuznetsov has just 17 points this season in 43 games played, but perhaps a fresh start in Carolina is just what the doctor ordered. For the Russian forward, another chance at a Stanley Cup must be pretty exciting as well.
POLL | ||
8 MARS | 492 ANSWERS Carolina makes the first big splash on trade deadline day, acquiring a recent Stanley Cup winner Will the Hurricanes win the Cup this season? | ||
Yes | 39 | 7.9 % |
No | 453 | 92.1 % |
List of polls |