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Evgeny Kuznetsov suffers long-term injury early in the KHL season

Originally posted on Blade of Steel | By TJ Tucker | Last updated 9/28/24

Evgeny Kuznetsov, who walked away from an NHL contract over the summer to return to Russia to play hockey, is facing a long recovery from an undisclosed injury.

It was a move that shocked many in the hockey world. Back in July, Evgeny Kuznetsov walked away from the last year of a lucrative contract in the NHL to sign a four-year deal with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL in his home country of Russia. Despite a rough couple of years in the NHL, Kuznetsov was expected to thrive in the KHL. Unfortunately for him, he's now stuck on the sidelines dealing with an injury.

SKA St. Petersburg head coach Roman Rotenberg has announced that Evgeny Kuznetsov is out for at least two months after getting injured in a recent game. Neither the team nor the KHL will say exactly what the injury is.

'After the examination it turned out that the injury suffered by our leader Evgeny Kuznetsov was quite serious. It will take him about two months to get back in the lineup.'
Kuznetsov is the best player in the KHL, the team leader both on the ice and in the locker room - I have no doubt that fans of all teams, not only SKA, are waiting for his return together with the team.'

Evgeny Kuznetsov left the game against Severstal after what appeared to be a fairly harmless play where he and another player reach for a puck that had bounced into the air. Kuznetsov may have gotten his opponent's stick across the hand or the wrist.

SKA St. Petersburg had a very strong team before the addition of Evgeny Kuznetsov. Shortly after the season started, the team also added defenceman Tony DeAngelo on a one-year deal after he failed to find to NHL team to sign him. The loss of Kuznetsov is, indeed, a loss for the entire KHL. Kuznetsov had played just nine games so far in the 2024-25 KHL season.

This article first appeared on Blade of Steel and was syndicated with permission.

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