“He sees things that only a handful of other players in the league can see.… - T.J. Oshie
“A lot of guys, top-level guys, can maybe see that at times but he executes it all the time. He’s fun to watch and playing with a lot of energy.… - Braden Holtby
When the Washington Capitals started the 2015-16 season, there was a lot of hype as the Barry Trotz led Capitals were on the verge of doing great things. Everyone pictured a more complete Alex Ovechkin leading the charge offensively with another dominating season. Nicklas Backstrom would be back quietly controlling the play and dishing to his teammates. T.J. Oshie would prove to be a bargain via trade and give the Caps an added punch on the first line.
What the Caps also knew, and what the fans were hoping, was that Evgeny Kutnetsov would emerge as the second line center that Washington has been pining for since Sergei Fedorov. What we got however, was something beyond expectations.
Through 70 games this season, Kuznetsov is the Caps leader in points (73) and assists (53) and is tied for second in the league (Patrick Kane) with assists trailing Ottawa's Erik Karlsson (60). What's more is that 'Kuzty' leads the league in +/- with +33. Whether or not you're a fan of the stat is moot. Kuznetsov is becoming more than just an offense threat and blossoming into a two-way center that plays a complete game on both ends of the ice.
His offensive ability shined though yet again on Friday night against the Nashville Predators as the Caps, led by Kutzy, defeated the visiting Preds 4-1 with Kuznetsov dishing off 3 assists. His highlite-reel passing has nabbed the attention from players and coaches from around the league, and his coach Barry Trotz is more than pleased with his adjustment to the North American game.
"His final transformation occurred during last year’s playoffs," Trotz said. "It started during the regular season, but the playoffs is when it became obvious. In a situation when you have even less space than during the regular season, he raised his game to a new level. And he carried his playoff game into this regular season, where he has been outstanding."
Kuznetsov's play has been outstanding on both ends, and his ability to create opportunists with whomever he plays with gives the Caps such depth, and trust, in their centers, that this years playoffs might just be a turning point in the franchise.
To put into perspective just how special this year has been for Kutzy, if he continues his dominance, he will be the first Caps player since Robert Lang (03-04) not to be named Ovechkin or Backstrom to lead the team in scoring.
Not bad for a 23 year old kid.
"Kuzy – he is a very smart player and a person as well," Trotz went on, "He understood what Pavel (Datsyuk) told him, and now he plays exactly how I wanted him to play then, and that’s how I want him to play now as well. The new aspects of his game allow him to utilize his terrific skating even better."
Comparisons to Pavel Datsyuk have been on-going this season, but it's way to early to give him that kind of stigma, or pressure. However, Kuznetsov is well on his way to becoming an elite pivot in the NHL, if hasn't reached that level yet already.
His offensive ability is unquestionable, but come playoff time his defensive 'sneakiness' will be something even more valuable.
“I’ve never been on top of the league,… Kuznetsov said, “I never know how this feels and it feels pretty nice right now. We have to stay with it and play 100 percent every game.…
Just keep doing what you're doing Kutzy.
More to come...