Yevgeny Kuznetsov's turbulent career hits new low with KHL suspension
Yevgeny Kuznetsov's hockey career has taken another sharp turn after the KHL suspended him for an indecent gesture towards a referee. The former NHL star, once a Stanley Cup winner with Washington, now faces disciplinary action while playing for Salavat Yulaev Ufa.
His journey from a celebrated player to a struggling free agent has been marked by highs and lows across leagues and continents.
Kuznetsov began his career in 2009 with Traktor Chelyabinsk, where he won silver in 2012–13 and bronze in 2011–12. By 2014, he moved to the NHL, signing with the Washington Capitals and later helping them win the Stanley Cup in 2018. His peak season came in 2017–18, with 83 points in 79 games.
Off-ice issues emerged in 2019 when he tested positive for cocaine at the IIHF World Championship. He entered the NHL's assistance programme but saw his performance decline. By 2023–24, he managed just 24 points across 63 games with Washington and Carolina, leading to a mutual contract termination. Returning to the KHL in July 2024, Kuznetsov signed a four-year deal with SKA St. Petersburg. His start was promising—12 goals and 25 assists in 39 games—but injuries and inconsistent play followed. SKA terminated his contract after one season. He briefly joined Metallurg Magnitogorsk in 2025 but was waived in January after recording only 1 goal and 8 assists in 15 games. Moving to Salavat Yulaev Ufa, his struggles continued, with 6 goals and 10 assists in 17 games. Now, the KHL has suspended him for one game and fined him after an indecent gesture towards an official. He will miss the third playoff game against Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Meanwhile, Traktor's hockey school, where Kuznetsov trained, recently faced its own disciplinary issue—an unnamed player was disqualified for unspecified reasons.
The suspension adds to Kuznetsov's recent challenges, including multiple contract terminations and declining performance. With 575 points in 743 NHL games and a Stanley Cup title, his future remains uncertain. The KHL's decision leaves him sidelined as his team continues its playoff campaign.
