{"id":39927,"date":"2025-07-05T05:02:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-05T05:02:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/39927\/"},"modified":"2025-07-05T05:02:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-05T05:02:09","slug":"evgeny-kuznetsov-suits-up-as-goaltender-during-offseason-workouts-while-wearing-vegas-golden-knights-jersey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/39927\/","title":{"rendered":"Evgeny Kuznetsov suits up as goaltender during offseason workouts while wearing Vegas Golden Knights jersey"},"content":{"rendered":"

Evgeny Kuznetsov<\/strong> remains unsigned through the fourth day of NHL free agency. Now, the talented centerman is showing off his versatility on Instagram.<\/p>\n

The former Capitals forward threw on goalie gear Friday, mysteriously suiting up in a Vegas Golden Knights jersey, leg pads, catching glove, and blocker.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnbelievable! You never see Evgeny Kuznetsov in goalie gear before!\u201d wrote Kuznetsov\u2019s representation, the Shumi Babaev sports agency<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Could this be a clue where the bird man might land next?<\/p>\n

Maybe, but most likely not. If you look closely in the photos, Kuznetsov is wielding and later wearing a Toronto Maple Leafs mask painted for former Capitals teammate Ilya Samsonov.<\/p>\n

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Samsonov played for both teams, the Golden Knights and Maple Leafs, after leaving Washington, suggesting Kuznetsov was just borrowing Sammy\u2019s gear for some pickup and may have linked up with his longtime friend. Other tiny details, such as banners held up around the rink, reveal the likely general location of the rink as South Florida.<\/p>\n

While Kuznetsov\u2019s agent says in the Instagram post that this was the first time the forward has suited up in goalie gear, he\u2019s done so multiple times, as documented in the essential RMNB tag, \u201cKuzy The Goalie.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

Kuznetsov made some big saves in net during Capitals\u2019 shootout practice in 2017<\/a> and later in 2018<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was young I used to play a lot,\u201d Kuznetsov said then<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s kind of cool.\u201d<\/p>\n

Babaev\u2019s Instagram post is likely an attempt to drum up interest in his client as Kuznetsov tries to make an NHL comeback<\/a> after he and SKA St. Petersberg multually terminated the remaining three years of his KHL contract<\/a> at the end of the season.. Kuznetsov previously left for Russia after being let out of his contract by the Carolina Hurricanes during the 2024 offseason.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are about ten teams where Kuznetsov could become a real asset \u2014 there is both a place on the roster and room under the salary cap,\u201d Babaev told RG earlier in the week<\/a>, as translated via Google Translate. \u201cKuznetsov is still viewed as a high-quality hockey player with great potential. At the same time, he is no longer an $8 million player. His new contract will be significantly more affordable, and for many teams, it could be a bargain: a quality center at a reasonable price. Now is a great time to return.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added on Instagram<\/a> that Kuznetsov would not accept a PTO. \u201cEveryone knows his capabilities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kuznetsov reportedly had several suitors in the KHL<\/a> before his agent announced in late June his client intended to play in the NHL this season<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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