Evgeny Kuznetsov: All Signs Point to Washington

On April 20, 2012, In Caps Prospect, By Igor Kleyner

Kuznetsov works out with the Russian National Team.

The last couple of weeks have been pretty crazy for the Caps fans: the late -season, nerve-wracking, but ultimately successful playoff push; the first round series against the Bruins with Thomas-vs-Obama-gate, Karl Alzner waking the bear, Brad Marchand’s impeccable impersonation of Greg Louganis, Nicky Backstrom’s return as Mean Lars — and even some pretty decent hockey at times.

Meanwhile, half a world away, at Team Russia’s training facility Novogorsk, the Caps’ highly touted prospect, Evgeny Kuznetsov, is quietly preparing for his first World Championship tournament (at least when the power doesn’t go out). Kuznetsov found some time to talk to the Dinara Kafiskina of Sportbox.ru about his KHL playoff experience, his chances to make Team Russia’s final roster for the, and… ah, who are we kidding? We know you only care about one thing: Is Kuzya coming to Washington? Sure enough, that very question comes up at the very end of the interview.

Follow us past the jump for our translation and analysis.

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Evgeny Kuznetsov: “I Said I Was Staying So They’d Leave Me Alone”

On March 24, 2012, In Caps Prospect, Translations, By Igor Kleyner

Nine days ago, on KHL-TV’s “The Icing Show,” 19-year-old Caps prospect Evgeny Kuznetsov revealed that he would stay in Russia next season.

“To be honest, my decision has been reached,” Kuznetsov told host Igor Larin. “It is my intention to continue my career in the KHL. At the same time there is no clarity as to which club it will be.”

Since then, no context has been gleaned from his statement until now.

Earlier today, Caps prospect Evgeny Kuznetsov scored twice, including the game-winner, to help push Traktor Chelyabinsk to the Eastern Conference Finals. In an interview with Rossiya 2 TV after the game, Kuznetsov admitted that his statement about staying in KHL was not serious. “I said that I am staying so they’d leave me alone.”

Below the jump, I offer a complete translation of his comments.

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The KHL’s RFA Rules and How They Impact Evgeny Kuznetsov

On March 20, 2012, In Caps Prospect, By Igor Kleyner

With Evgeny Kuznetsov stating his desire to stay in the KHL but possibly switching teams, and Traktor management— well, disagreeing, we explored what Kuznetsov’s actual options are this Summer. Is being a restricted free agent in the KHL the same thing as being an RFA in the NHL? Can the KHL just dump buckets of cash at Kuznetsov’s front door? Do the Caps have any chance of landing him, especially considering the monetary limitations of the NHL’s entry-level contracts?

Below, I explain the rights of a restricted free agent according to the KHL’s Legal Regulations handbook (the league’s governing document), what Evgeny Kuznetsov’s options are, and if the Capitals still have any shot of bringing the talented winger over to North America.

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Traktor’s Management Responds to Kuznetsov’s Comments

On March 17, 2012, In Caps Prospect, Translations, By Igor Kleyner

Traktor’s director Vladimir Krechin. (Photo credit: Traktor’s official website)

For a few weeks now the saga of Evgeny Kuznetsov has been dominating the hearts and minds of Caps fans. The question being, where will Kuzya be playing next year? Is he going to join the NHL team that selected him in the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft? Will he stay true to his home town and remain a Traktorist for another season? Or will he prefer the greener pastures of another KHL club, perhaps a powerhouse like SKA St. Petersburg or even one of Traktor’s main KHL rivals like Salavat Yulaev Ufa?

The latest development in this story came in an interview Kuznetsov gave earlier this week to the host of KHL-TV’s “The Icing Show,” Igor Larin. Kuznetsov purportedly stated his intention to remain in the KHL, but not necessarily with his current club. KHL-TV has not yet made video of this interview available online.

Many Russian hockey analysts and former players have given their opinions on his decision since then, yet Kuznetsov’s team, Traktor Cheylabinsk, has stayed silent. Until now.

Traktor’s Director Vladimir Krechin spoke to Sport-Express’s Yuriy Golyshak after his team’s 2-1 victory over Ak Bars on Friday. My translation of their interview is below.

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Dmitry Orlov: “I Would Like to Score More”

On March 13, 2012, In Interview, By Igor Kleyner

Photo credit: Patrick McDermott

“Man, there are three of you!” exclaimed Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov in the locker-room following his team’s shutout of the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs, as he found himself surrounded by all three Russian-speaking members of the press covering the game on Sunday evening at Verizon Center – Dmitry Chesnokov of Yahoo Sports, Dmitry Shumin of Sovetsky Sport, and me. “Why do you all want to interview me?” said Dima, “I didn’t really do anything special this game – no goals, no points. You should be interviewing other guys!”

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Dmitry Orlov Talks Defensive Systems, Wearing the Cage, and Evgeny Kuznetsov’s Decision

On March 5, 2012, In Interview, By Igor Kleyner

Photo credit: Rob Carr

The morning after the Washington Capitals suffered a stinging 5-0 defeat at the hands of the visiting New Jersey Devils, the mood at their practice was mixed. There were some lighthearted moments, like Alex Ovechkin falling down after attempting a one-timer and causing Alex Semin to double over laughing. Or a few minutes later, when the birthday boy got into a pretend squabble with Troy Brouwer.

But as the players one by one trickled into the dressing room and began answering the reporter’s questions, Friday night’s performance was on everybody’s mind. How did the youngest member of the Washington Capitals deal with one of the team’s worst showings of the season?

Below the jump, Dmitry Orlov discusses the loss to New Jersey, changing defensive systems, wearing the full cage mask, and Evgeny Kuznetsov’s future.

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Evgeny Kuznetsov Talks About The WJC, His Outdoor Game Goal, and What’s Next

On March 2, 2012, In Caps Prospect, Translations, By Igor Kleyner

A week ago in the final minutes of Traktor’s 2-1 win over Spartak, Caps prospect Evgeny Kuznetsov absorbed an awkward hit near the end boards and suffered what appeared to be a serious knee injury. Kuznetsov, who can be seen writhing on the ice in pain, was then taken to a local Cheylabinsk hospital where an MRI of his knee came back clean. Accordingly, Traktor Chelyabinsk’s official website announced that Kuznetsov had a bruised knee and would only miss a week of time, meaning he would be ready for the start of the KHL playoffs.

Well, not so fast! The next day, Kuznetsov flew to Germany to have European doctors take a closer look at his knee. On that flight over, Kuznetsov announced on Twitter that he’d be out three to five weeks because of the injury. After being examined, Kuznetsov gave no update on whether the diagnosis had changed.

The saga continued this past Thursday after Traktor defeated Yugra 3-1 in the first game of their KHL playoff series. Traktor’s head coach Valery Belousov told the Russian media that “Kuznetsov is on crutches for now. Don’t expect him to come back very soon.” Suffice to say, that must be one heck of a bruise to put a 19-year-old athlete on crutches.

Meanwhile, the normally chatty Kuznetsov has avoided the media altogether lately, but that wasn’t the case a few weeks ago when he went on Russia-2′s “Week of Sports” to accept the prestigious honor of being named “Russian Athlete of the Month” for January. During the fascinating ten-minute interview, host Alexey Popov asks Kuznetsov about a variety of things including the Outdoor Game he recently played in, his feelings about winning silver in the World Junior Championships, and his relationship with the Capitals. Below I offer a translation.

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Evgeny Kuzetsov: “I Am Not Big Enough For Chebarkul Stars”

On February 10, 2012, In Caps Prospect, Translations, By Igor Kleyner

Photo credit: Russian Hockey Federation

While the NHL announced next year’s Winter Classic between Detroit and Toronto, Caps prospect Evgeny Kuznetsov participated in his own Outdoor Game Thursdsay, as Team Russia took on the Finnish National Team. Kuznetsov finished with a goal and an assist, his tally coming on a jaw-dropping 1-on-4 semi-breakaway that not only looked good, but closed out the game 2-0.

Soviet Sport’s Pavel Lysenkov caught up with Kuznetsov after the game to talk about his goal, though characteristically Kuznetsov was more interested in talking about the team’s victory than his own “super” effort. Below the jump, RMNB’s Igor Kleyner translates their conversation.

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Former Capital Sergei Fedorov Praises Evgeny Kuznetsov, Participates in Ridiculous Photoshoot for KHL All-Star Game

On January 20, 2012, In Caps Prospect, Photos, Translations, By Igor Kleyner

All photos via the KHL’s Facebook Fan Page.

On Saturday, the KHL will host their 3rd annual All-Star Game in Riga, Latvia. Former Washington Capital Sergei Fedorov will be captaining one team at the game — a team that includes Caps prospect Evgeny Kuznetsov, who has 16G and 15A as of the All-Star break, leading Traktor Chelyabinsk in scoring. Kuznetsov was nominated as a starter for the game by a landslide fan vote, finishing second overall in all voting.

Ahead of the KHL’s All-Star Game, Fedorov spoke to Sport Express’ Dmitry Kuznetsov about Kuznetsov. Below the jump, Igor Kleyner offers a translation of the interview, where former Cap Fedorov talks Kuznetsov’s scoring, overwhelming fan popularity, and offers some perspective on the choice that’s coming up for Kuznetsov — whether to continue to play in the KHL, or make the jump to the NHL.

The 42-year-old future Hall of Famer also participated in a highly silly photoshoot to promote the All-Star Game, along with the other team captain and former NHLer Sandis Ozolins, which we’ve preserved here in a post for historical purposes. Please enjoy.

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Evgeny Kuznetsov: “I am not Maradona; I am Kuznetsov”

On December 9, 2011, In Caps Prospect, Translations, By Igor Kleyner

Kuznetsov smiles during the weekend of his wedding. (Photo credit: Chelyabinsk.ru)

If you’re a loyal reader of RMNB, you know a lot about Caps prospect Evgeny Kuznetsov. You know he’s won a gold medal at last year’s WJC, he currently leads the KHL in game-winning goals, and he had one of the best years ever recorded last season as an 18-year-old in Russia. You’ve seen the movie he starred in when he was 12, Hockey Nomad Goes To Russia, and you giggled when you saw pictures from his wedding this past summer at Traktor Arena.

In part two of our monster translation of Soviet Sport’s feature story on Kuzya, Pavel Lysenkov asks some more personal questions. [Read part one of the interview.] We find out why Kuznetsov picked number 92, what Alex Ovechkin gave him as a wedding present, and what he was like as a child in school. Evgeny also makes many more references to Washington and how he’s preparing to uproot his life at some point and come to North America.

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