Capitals open to trading Kuznetsov 'if it makes sense'

Washington Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said the club could trade forward Evgeny Kuznetsov this offseason if it finds the right deal.

"I think we're always open to trading people if it makes sense for what's going on," MacLellan said Wednesday when asked about potentially trading the Russian pivot, per Stephen Whyno of The Associated Press. "If it's going to make our team better, I think we're open to it."

Kuznetsov has been the subject of trade speculation this season. However, following the Capitals' five-game drubbing at the hands of the Boston Bruins, MacLellan admitted Kuznetsov isn't the only player that could be moved.

"I don't think anybody's off the table," he said. "We're not going to trade (Alex Ovechkin) or (Nicklas Backstrom) and those type of people, but I think you have to be open on anything. We would talk to anybody about any player."

Kuznetsov is coming off a difficult season. He registered 29 points in 41 contests - his worst per-game rate since 2015 - and averaged his lowest ice time (16:34) since 2017. The 29-year-old also contracted COVID-19 twice, and he was scratched for being late to a team function earlier this month.

Kuznetsov has four seasons remaining on his current contract, which has an average annual value of $7.8 million. His deal includes a 15-team no-trade list, although it shrinks to 10 in 2022, according to CapFriendly.