Kuznetsov shared the most memorable moment from his NHL career, and it was not with the Capitals

3 min read
Jul 31, 2024, 4:38 PM
Evgeny Kuznetsov celebrates

Credit: x.com @_Canes.

Evgeny Kuznetsov had many memorable moments in the NHL, where he played 743 games and won the Stanley Cup in 2018 with the Washington Capitals, becoming the playoffs' leading scorer. Kuznetsov spent 11 seasons with the Capitals, but his most vivid memory of his American career is associated with another club.

"I had an incredible career in Washington. We had a lot of great moments, but the only time I almost cried was in Carolina," Kuznetsov told RG.org exclusively. "It happened when I scored my first goal in Raleigh [March 14, 2024, against Florida]. I can still see the fans cheering and applauding me. At that moment, I was closer than ever to crying from happiness. Something incredible was happening inside."

“I almost took off my mask," he smiled.

https://x.com/Canes/status/1768455476356739263

The Hurricanes terminated Kuznetsov's contract on July 18, one day after he was placed on unconditional waivers. The 32-year-old forward had one season left on an eight-year, $62.4 million contract.

Kuznetsov said there was no turning back for him and that he would never return to the NHL. Does he feel like he has fully realized his potential?

"It's hard to answer," he said. "You always want more. I still understand that I could have done more. There's still something left to say, but I'm happy to return home."

Kuznetsov said that he "will miss absolutely nothing," and the most pleasant event in 12 years in the United States was the birth of his children. 

"Sports come and go, but children and animals always love you, no matter what," he said.

Kuznetsov declined to name the best coach he worked with in the NHL because he didn't want to offend anyone. "Not all of them were good, but I don't want to offend anyone," he said. "Let them guess for themselves."

Finally, Kuznetsov, who signed a four-year contract with SKA in the KHL, addressed the North American fans who have been rooting for him all these years.

"I can't find the words to describe my love," he said. "I am very grateful to everyone. And I would like to apologize for all the bad games and negative moments that happened to me. I am sorry that my mistakes made them worry. I thank them from the bottom of my heart. And I want to say that they will have many different hockey players. They will have better and worse players, but they will never have a player like me again."

Sergey has been in sports journalism since 2007 as a reporter, editor, and manager. He has covered the Olympic Games, soccer World Cups, the World Cup of Hockey in 2016, the European championships, the Stanley Cup Finals, IOC events, and many others. Sergey interviewed the sport's greatest athletes, coaches, and executives. Since 2016, he has been an Independent Senior Editor of NHL.com/ru.

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Paruyr Shahbazyan began his business career in 2000 as a private entrepreneur. Over thirteen years, he developed a deep understanding for business and leadership, laying a solid foundation for his professional journey.

In 2013, Paruyr stepped into the sports and betting industry as the founder and president of Bookmaker Rating. This online mass media platform, which he led until 2020, focused on providing in-depth analysis and insights in sports betting, earning a reputation for its quality content. 

Continuing his innovative approach in 2022, Paruyr co-founded Azuro, a decentralized betting protocol. This venture showcases his dedication to integrating advanced technology in the evolving landscape of sports betting. Through these diverse experiences, Paruyr has continuously influenced and shaped the betting industry, driving new trends and setting high standards.

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Engaged in private entrepreneurship2000-2013
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Co-founder at Azuro, a decentralized betting protocol2022

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Paruyr's vision is to revolutionize the sports betting industry through the integration of technology. He sees the future of betting as a blend of traditional sports knowledge with innovative tech solutions, like decentralized protocols, to enhance user experience and fairness. His aim is to create platforms that are not only user-friendly but also uphold the highest standards of ethical betting, contributing to a more responsible and enjoyable betting culture.

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Looking towards the future, Paruyr envisions a betting landscape that is more inclusive, technologically advanced, and globally connected. He anticipates a significant shift towards more decentralized and transparent betting systems, driven by blockchain technology. Paruyr is committed to being at the forefront of this change, continuously exploring new possibilities and innovations that can redefine what it means to engage in sports betting in a digital world. His focus is on building systems that prioritize user empowerment, fairness, and the global growth of the sports betting community.

 

Sol Fayerman-Hansen
Sol Fayerman-Hansen
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Sol has over 20 years of experience in writing for diverse industries including sports, gambling, regulation, technology, and startups. As the Editor-in-Chief at RG.org, Sol brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role, focusing on delivering transparent, evidence-based content grounded in thorough research. Sol's mission is to empower readers to enjoy gambling responsibly and make informed decisions, enhancing their overall experience through insightful and engaging content. Under Sol's leadership, RG.org prioritizes the highest standards of integrity and reliability, ensuring that all information provided is accurate and trustworthy. Sol's dedication to transparency and research-based writing helps create a responsible gambling environment where readers can truly benefit from the content. This commitment to excellence has positioned RG.org as a leading source of information in the gambling industry.

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Nick has covered baseball and hockey for outlets like The Athletic, Sportsnet, and Yahoo Sports, and his sports betting expertise has grown since its legalization in Ontario in 2022. 

Between 2022 and 2023 he worked for a betting startup called NorthStar Bets, and in 2024 he contributed to Oddspedia before joining the Responsible Gambling team.

Sergey Demidov
Sergey Demidov
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Daria Tuboltseva
Daria Tuboltseva
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Daria went to St. Petersburg State University and earned a bachelor of international journalism. Working as a sports journalist from 2014, from 2016 as a hockey journalist. Covered 5 World Championships, 2022 Winter Olympics, 2020 World Juniors, 6 Gagarin Cup Finals. 

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He is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank.net, which has been featured and linked in hundreds of leading media outlets all across the world.

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Marco D'Amico
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Marco D'Amico is a beat reporter covering the Montreal Canadiens and the NHL Draft, while also being a recurring guest on TSN690 and BPM Sports. His work primarily on NHL CBA breakdowns and prospect analysis, all while covering the Montreal Canadiens on a day-to-day basis.

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