Canucks' Vasily Podkolzin opens up on Evgeny Kuznestov's sudden departure

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Cooper Godin
July 26, 2024 (6:30 PM)

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Vancouver Canucks forward Vasily Podkolzin says he's upset to see Evgeny Kuznetsov leave the NHL.

After 11 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes, winning a Stanley Cup along the way, Evgeny Kuznetsov
is set to return home to Russia and will reportedly agree to terms on a four-year deal with KHL club SKA St. Petersburg.

Throughout his NHL career, Kuznetsov has been an idol for young players back in Russia and one of those people was Vancouver Canucks forward Vasily Podkolzin, who wears number 92 because of the Chelyabinsk native.

This week, Vasily Podkolzin sat down for an interview with Match TV, a media outlet based in Russia, and said that he was upset to see Kuznetsov leave the National Hockey League.

Podkolzin went on to add that he thinks Kuznetsov is still one of the best Russian forwards in the world and believes that we haven't seen the last of him in the NHL.

Note: the quotes in this story are translated from Russian.

"To be honest, I was upset that Kuznetsov went to the KHL. I took the number 92 because Zhenya played under it. I used to be number 19, and then Volodya Tkachev came to SKA. That number went to him, and I took 92." Podkolzin said.

He added, "I always wanted to be at least somewhat like Kuznetsov. What potential he has, what skill! I am very sorry, and I think Evgeni has not said his last word in the NHL yet. After all, when he came to Carolina, he fit in well, scored 6 (4+2) points in 10 playoff games, scored four goals. But since it was his decision, we need to support Kuznetsov. For me, he is a top-class player. One of the best Russian center forwards in the world."

Kuznetsov, 32, saw his time in the National Hockey League come to an end last week as the Carolina Hurricanes placed him on unconditional waivers for the purpose of mutual contract termination. The move gives both the Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals salary cap relief for the 2024-25 season, the latter of whom retained 50% of his remaining salary in his trade back in March.

Source: Match TV
Vancouver Forward Podkolzin: «To be honest, I was upset that Kuznetsov went to the KHL»

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