Rangers rival in Metropolitan Division takes another hit this offseason

One of the New York Rangers’ biggest rivals in the Metropolitan Division suffered another big blow to its roster on Monday.

According to a report out of Russia , Evgeny Kuznetsov will have his contract with the Carolina Hurricanes terminated so that he can sign a four-contract in the KHL with SKA St. Petersburg. The story has not been refuted by Kuznetsov, though a friend of his, an agent in Russia, said it is too early to discuss the forward leaving the NHL.

Carolina has expected the enigmatic 32-year-old to center its second line next season, his final one before becoming an unrestricted free agent in the NHL.

Kuznetsov’s possible departure would be another loss for the Hurricanes this offseason. They will also be without top-nine forwards Teuvo Teravainen and Stefan Noesen, who each signed elsewhere in free agency, and star forward Jake Guentzel, who was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning because he was going to leave the Hurricanes as a free agent.

In addition, top-four defensemen Brett Pesce and Brady Skjei departed as free agents, as well, on July 1. And projected second-line forward Martin Necas, a restricted free agent who filed for salary arbitration, is seeking a trade.

That’s a lot of upheaval for the Hurricanes, who’ve made the Stanley Cup Playoffs six consecutive seasons, winning at least one round in each appearance. This past season, they finished second in the Metropolitan Division, three points behind the Rangers. They disposed of the Islanders in five games in the first round of the postseason before they were kayoed in six by the Rangers in the second round.

The Rangers eliminated the Hurricanes from the playoffs in two of the past three seasons, including the second round in 2022.

Related: Where Rangers stand in Metropolitan Division 2 months before training camp

Rangers rival reportedly losing Evgeny Kuznetsov to KHL

Kuznetsov is coming off a lot of turmoil this past season. He struggled mightily with the Washington Capitals, entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program and then was assigned to the AHL when he was reinstated. Kuznetsov was dealt to the Hurricanes for a third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft ahead of the trade deadline.

The 2018 Stanley Cup champion and four-time 20-goal scorer registered only 24 points (eight goals, 16 assists) in 63 games with the Capitals and Hurricanes last season, the fewest of his 10 full NHL seasons.

Kuznetsov had his moments in the postseason, though. He had four goals and six points in 10 playoff games, including goals in Games 4 and 5 of their second-round series against the Rangers. In his career, Kuznetsov has 73 points (33 goals, 40 assists) in 97 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

If his contract is terminated, the Hurricanes and Capitals each will save $3.9 million against the salary cap, since each team carried half of his salary.

It’ll be interesting to see if the Hurricanes move Jesperi Kotkaniemi up from a bottom-six role to center the second line or if, perhaps, Necas, will move to the middle, assuming he is not traded. There also the chance that former Rangers forward Jack Roslovic, who signed with the Hurricanes this offseason, could slide to the middle.

Sebastian Aho is entrenched as Carolina’s No. 1 center and captain Jordan Staal anchors the checking third line.

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