The Daily: Kuznetsov Plans to Stay in KHL; Copp Wants to do More

Evgeny Kuznetsov clearly isn’t second-guessing himself about asking the Carolina Hurricanes to terminate the last season of his NHL contract recently. He would have been paid $7.8 million to play for the ‘Canes in 2024-25 had he not asked for the termination.

Kuznetsov, 32,  showed he is not thinking about a return to the NHL by signing a four-year deal with SKA St. Petersburg in the Kontinental Hockey League.

The minimum KHL salary is about $450,000, but high profile players do receive deals that earn them millions of dollars. St. Petersburg is among the KHL’s top teams. KHL salary information is not made available. But according to Sports Express in Russia, reported Kuznetsov can earn up to 1 billion rubles. According to exchange rates, that would be up to $4.67 million U.S. dollars.

While Kuznetsov has registered as many as 83 points in an NHL season, his play has fallen off in recent years.  Undoubtedly, he is looking for his return to Russia to be his version of a fresh start. Kuznetsov hasn’t played in the KHL since 2013-14.

It’s official!⚡️

Evgeny Kuznetsov is a SKA player! The successful forward has signed a four-year contract with our organisation.

Welcome to Saint Petersburg! #hcSKA pic.twitter.com/vO0gRLHW18

— SKA Ice Hockey Club (@hcSKA_News) July 31, 2024

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Finnish junior captain Jesse Kiiskinen is just growing accustomed : the reality that he’s with the Detroit Red Wings now.  He’s a 6-foot-2 forward who is hard to play against.

Paywall story: Dylan Larkin leads the all-Homegrown Red Wings team. If you want to subscribe to read this story, click here. To receive a $10 discount on a yearly subscription, use the promo code kevin10.

Red Wings forward Andrew Copp expects more from himself this season. He netted 13 goals last season in a checking role.

Red Wings Offseason

Sportsnet’s Emily Sadler came up with a projection of 13 active players who will make the Hockey Hall of Fame. The lone Detroit player is Patrick Kane. As you would expect, most of the choices are obvious. It is interesting that Marc-Andre Fleury is the only goalie among the 13.

Hockey Now Network

Chicago: Nate Brown looks at whether Artyom Levshunov or Frank Nazar should be ranked as the Blackhawks’ best prospect. Chicago Blackhawks. 

Colorado: Avalanche prospect Ilya Nabokov has NHL goals, even though the Avs don’t know when he will get to North America. Colorado Avalanche.

Philadelphia: Jonathan Bailey writes that forgotten forwards Noah Cates and Joel Farabee are keys to success for the 2024-25 season. Philadelphia Flyers.

Pittsburgh: The Penguins have messy, cloudy goaltending outlook, but that’s a good thing. Pittsburgh Penguins.

San Jose: SJHN’s Sheng Peng has confirmed San Jose second-round pick Igor Chernyshov is coming to North America to play. San Jose Sharks.