The transfer of Evgeniy Kuznetsov to the Carolina Hurricanes has become one one of the main sensations not just of the transfer deadline, but of the entire NHL season. The prospects of the Russian forward, who passed the waiver draft for the Washington Capitals, in the main league of the world were assessed as doubtful. Kuzya himself even experienced all the delights of traveling by bus to an away match with the Caps farm club in the AHL. His trade to Carolina came as a big surprise to many. For Evgeny himself, this development of events is a big victory and a chance to restart his career in a team that is contending for the Stanley Cup.
Kuznetsov immediately became part of the Hurricanes and earned the role of one of the team’s leaders. The local public fell in love with him, the team, along with compatriots Dmitry Orlov, Pyotr Kochetkov and Andrei Svechnikov, accepted the Russian and helped him with adaptation, and after one of the matches, head coach of the Hurricanes Rod Brindamore, just for fun, handed the forward a plunger, which quickly spread into memes . Evgeniy found the inspiration that he lacked in recent seasons in Washington. For complete satisfaction, only effective actions were needed, although Kuzya, due to their absence, did not particularly strain himself:
“»I want to get in shape, work hard, give passes and do the right things. And the points will come. Now the team’s victories mean more to me «Hockey should be fun. Sometimes you have to throw the puck forward and work. But when it comes time to control it, you have to do it. My goal is not to spoil anything. Find your place, understand the role and start bringing something special.»
And Kuznetsov really got his way. Already in his fourth game for Carolina, the Russian scored his first effective action as part of his new team.
This happened in a match against the Florida Panthers, one of the best clubs of the season and a finalist in the last Stanley Cup. The Hurricanes dealt with the Panthers confidently, without giving them any chance of success. 4:0 in favor of the “Hurricanes” — “Florida” was not saved even by Sergei Bobrovsky, who was holding a magnificent championship.
Kuznetsov was directly involved in two Canes goals. First, he helped Martin Necas score, with whom Evgeniy and another star newcomer of Carolina, Jake Guentzel, formed a new promising trio. And although the NHL subsequently “took away” Kuzi’s assist, reassigning it to the same Günzel, without the participation of the Russian this goal would not have happened. Dmitry Orlov, Evgeniy’s longtime friend, also made his contribution at this point.
Six minutes later, Kuznetsov himself scored. The Russian received the puck in the area of the left throw-in circle, held the puck and, after waiting for the moment to shoot, sent the projectile into the goal. The emotions of Evgeniy and the entire PNC Arena in Raleigh knew no bounds. Kuzya celebrated the long-awaited goal in his signature style — with his legendary birdie.
The same bird “scattered” across the court after the match. The Hurricanes players traditionally stood in the central zone to celebrate the victory with the fans, and then began to congratulate Kuznetsov specifically. Several hockey players of the team demonstratively portrayed that very “bird”, and Orlov, in a friendly manner, slapped Evgeniy several times on the back of the head.
«»I just want to thank the fans for their support. I almost cried. A very important night for me. My wife is at the game today, my children and parents are also watching the match. It's all for them. I'm scoring a little. I'm trying to show my best game «Right now I'm living my best days. I work every day and enjoy it. I understand why I'm here, why this team acquired me. Not just to be a funny guy and smile. The club needs me and my team scored points, helped the team. Today was that day, we took a step forward,» Kuznetsov spoke emotionally in a conversation with North American journalists.
Following the results of the meeting, the Russian forward was recognized as the first star. At the moment, his career in Carolina is going well. The most important thing is that Kuzya does not feel all the pressure that has accumulated around him over the past few years. Huge support from outside and the belief of the “Hurricanes” that it is too early to write off Evgeni should help the Russian achieve that reboot that the forward himself talked about throughout the season. This cannot but rejoice.