Earlier today, news broke that Evgeny Kuznetsov may be returning to Russia, according to Russian News outlet Championat. The report noted that Kuznetsov would be signing a four-year contract with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL, and seeking to terminate his contract with the Carolina Hurricanes.
However, Kuznetsov’s agent, Shumi Babaev, refuted the reports today in an interview with the same publication. Babaev noted that while there was interest in Kuznetsov from SKA, along with other KHL teams, it’s too early to talk about a return to the KHL for Kuznetsov.
The forward still has one year remaining on his contract, at a $3.9 million cap hit with the Hurricanes. Upon being acquired by Carolina, the forward scored six goals and 13 points across 30 games between the regular season and playoffs combined. So while it was widely reported that Kuznetsov would be seeking a termination of his contract, it now seems as though signs would point to him possibly playing out the final year of the deal.
Kuznetsov saw on-and-off success upon joining the Hurricanes after the trade deadline. At times he looked like a great fit in the top-six, but struggled to really put together results. It remains to be seen how he'd be used in the lineup next season should he return to the Hurricanes, with Sebastian Aho, Jordan Staal, Jack Drury and Jesperi Kotkaniemi all available to play down the middle as well.
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In other news, the Hurricanes also signed defenseman Dominik Badinka to a three-year, entry-level contract yesterday.
Badinka was the Hurricanes’ first pick in this year’s NHL Draft, being selected 34th overall after Carolina moved back out of the first round, in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks. Badinka will turn 19 years old later this year, and scored four points across 33 SHL games this past season.
The team also signed defenseman Joakim Ryan to a one-year contract, worth $775,000.
OTHER ARTICLES FROM JULY
- Canes sign Gostisbehere, Walker and Carrier, re-sign Slavin and Martinook
- Hurricanes sign Jack Roslovic
- How strong is the Canes’ blue line after adding Gostisbehere and Walker?
Carolina Hurricanes Blogger • 
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