The Toronto Maple Leafs could soon add some more star power to their lineup.
Toronto has a need for a top-six forward, and the Maple Leafs reportedly are in talks to sign Evgeny Kuznetsov. The Russian is looking to make his return to the NHL, and he’s waiting to see if the Maple Leafs will offer him a contract or not, according to NHL insider Daria Tuboltseva of RG.org.
“Evgeny Kuznetsov hasn’t given up on his ambition to return to the NHL,” Tuboltseva wrote. “According to RG, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers are both actively considering the possibility of signing the 33-year-old forward. The Panthers, in particular, could view him as a timely replacement for captain Aleksander Barkov, who recently underwent surgery and is expected to be out of action for 7–9 months.
“Evgeny wants to play in the NHL. Right now he’s waiting on Toronto’s decision, though Florida is also an option,” a source close to the situation told RG,” the article added.
If the Maple Leafs do sign Kuznetsov, it would be a big move for Toronto, as he would be a legit top-six forward. The Russian is a two-time NHL All-Star and has a career-high of 83 points and 27 goals.
Kuznetsov spent last season in the KHL after his contract was terminated by the Carolina Hurricanes.
Kuzentsov Looking to Return to NHL
Although Kuznetsov spent last season in the KHL, he has made it clear he wants to be back in the NHL.
Kuznetsov’s agent, Shumi Babaev, told RG that his client is adamant on returning to the NHL. He also claimed there have been at least 10 teams that have expressed interest in Kuznetsov.
“I worked with Evgeny in Russia. In the U.S., he had a different agent, but now I represent his interests in the NHL,” Babaev explained to RG. “He asked for my opinion, and I’ve always said that the NHL is where he belongs. Last year, he was mentally and physically exhausted and wanted to come back to Russia. But even at 60–70% of his usual level, he was still one of the top players in the KHL…
“Not because there are no offers from Russia—there are,” Babaev added. “And honestly, he’d still be one of the best players in the KHL. But right now, the focus is on returning to the NHL… In my view, there are about ten teams where Kuznetsov could be a real asset—where there’s both room on the roster and cap space. I think we could have clarity within a couple of weeks.”
Kuznetsov helped win the Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals in 2018.
Maple Leafs GM Hinted at More Moves
All offseason, Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving said the team needed to add another top-six forward.
However, as the season is just days away, Treliving has yet to add a top-six forward. But the general manager isn’t ruling out the team making a move before the season starts.
“Step one right now is seeing what we have in camp,” Treliving said on Real Kyper & Bourne. “I know everybody’s focused on that one spot, and certainly we are, but you don’t know where chemistry is going to come from. You can put it on paper, but until you get on the ice and see who fits with who, you don’t know…
“We’re going to continue to look internally while also continuing to look outside and see if there’s an availability for somebody that can come in and help us,” Treliving added.
Toronto still has some cap space and could also trade some forwards to clear more cap.
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