HERSHEY, Pa. — On Tuesday morning, the Hershey Bears saw a longtime National Hockey League veteran take action in practice.
Forward Evgeny Kuznetsov, assigned to the team by the Washington Capitals, skated with the Bears at GIANT Center, in preparation for a pair of games this weekend.
If Kuznetsov, 31, suits up for the Bears this weekend, he would become the highest-paid player in American Hockey League history.
Kuznetsov was just reinstated from the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program and entered the program's follow-up phase. Right now, he is only cleared for practice and must still be approved to return to game action.
The Capitals are paying Kuznetsov $8 million this season, and he is due that total for the 2024-25 season, as well. By keeping him in the minor leagues, the Capitals are saving a prorated $1.15 million in cap space for this season.
Currently, the highest-paid player in AHL history was Wade Redden, who was paid $6.5 million by the New York Rangers while spending time with the Hartford Wolf Pack and Connecticut Whale from 2010 through 2012.
For reference, the AHL's minimum salary for this year is $52,725, with an $83 per diem for road games.
It's been a fall from grace for the forward that helped Washington to the 2018 Stanley Cup title. That postseason, Kuznetsov led the NHL in playoff assists (20) and points (32). En route to the championship, He scored one of the biggest goals in Washington’s franchise history, potting the Game 6 overtime-winner in the second round of the playoffs to help the Capitals advance past defending champion Pittsburgh.
This year, he's struggled, posting only 6 goals and 11 assists over 43 games for Washington.
The native of Chelyabinsk, Russia was selected by the Capitals in the first round, 26th overall, in the 2010 NHL Draft. He has never played in the AHL.
There is a chance that Kuznetsov is waived or traded before the NHL Trade Deadline on Friday, but if he remains with Hershey, he will become the highest paid player in league history.
The Bears will visit the Charlotte Checkers on Friday, March 8 at Bojangles’ Coliseum at 7 p.m and Saturday, March 9 at 6 p.m. You can watch both games on FOX43.2 Antenna TV. Hershey returns home to host the Syracuse Crunch on Saturday, March 16 at 7 p.m. at GIANT Center.