Kuznetsov and KHL club SKA St. Petersburg mutually agreed to terminate his contract, Sammi Silber of The Hockey News reports Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Kuznetsov was in the first year of a four-year deal he signed with the Russian club back in July. In 39 appearances for SKA this year, the 32-year-old center registered 12 goals and 25 helpers before adding another three points in six postseason contests. This could open the door for Kuznetsov to make his NHL return next year -- though it's far from a lock that he finds a new NHL club.

Kuznetsov signed a four-year deal with SKA St. Petersburg (KHL) on Wednesday, Sergey Demidov of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kuznetsov is finishing out his playing days in Russia after an 11-year career in the NHL. The 32-year-old banked 24 points in 63 regular-season outings between Washington and Carolina in 2023-24, before adding six points in 10 playoff games. Over the course of his entire career, Kuznetsov had 575 points in 743 games while adding 73 points in 97 playoff contests.

Kuznetsov was put on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract, the Hurricanes announced Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Kuznetsov had one season remaining on his eight-year, $62.4 million contract. When an NHL agreement is mutually terminated rather than bought out, the remaining cap hit and salary are erased from the books, which will save each of Carolina and Washington $3.9 million for the 2024-25 campaign. Kuznetsov struggled in 2023-24, finishing the regular season with eight goals and 24 points across 63 contests. He's likely to join the KHL's SKA St. Petersburg.

Kuznetsov potted the game-winning goal in Monday's 4-1 victory over New York in Game 5.

EDGE Analysis

After being a healthy scratch in Game 2 of this series, Kuznetsov has now scored in consecutive contests to help keep Carolina's season alive. The 31-year-old forward drove to the net and buried a rebound off of a shot from Brady Skjei. It was Kuznetsov's fourth goal and sixth point of the postseason in nine outings. Kuznetsov and the Hurricanes will be at home Thursday night for Game 6 against the Rangers in another potential elimination game.

Kuznetsov scored a goal on three shots in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Rangers in Game 4.

EDGE Analysis

The tally was Kuznetsov's first point in three appearances in the second round. He was scratched in Game 2, and he continues to play in a bottom-six role, though he's also maintained a power-play assignment. The center has three goals, two assists, 13 shots on net, five hits and a plus-1 rating over eight playoff outings despite increasingly limited ice time -- he saw just 8:38 in Saturday's win.

Although an initial report suggested Kuznetsov was unavailable for Tuesday's Game 2 versus the Rangers because of an undisclosed injury, he is actually a healthy scratch for the contest, per Tom Gulitti of NHL.com

EDGE Analysis

Kuznetsov took a bad penalty in Game 1 on Sunday that led to a goal in what was ultimately a 4-3 loss to the Rangers, which is likely why he's out of the lineup Tuesday. The 31-year-old has two goals and four points in six playoff contests this year while averaging a modest 11:37 of ice time. Max Comtois drew into the lineup for Game 2 due to Kuznetsov being scratched.

Kuznetsov (undisclosed) won't play Tuesday in Game 2 versus the Rangers, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kuznetsov has two goals and two assists in six games this postseason. He will be replaced in the lineup by Max Comtois.

Kuznetsov collected a goal and an assist Tuesday in a 6-3 win over the Islanders in Game 5.

EDGE Analysis

The 31-year-old center scored on a penalty shot midway through the first period, then helped set up a Stefan Noesen tally early in the third. Kuznetsov was productive against the Isles, producing two two-point performances in five games despite a bottom-six role, but his main value to the Hurricanes came at the faceoff dot -- he won nine of his 12 draws Tuesday.

Kuznetsov scored a power-play goal on two shots and added an assist in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Islanders in Game 1.

EDGE Analysis

Kuznetsov opened the scoring just 1:35 into the first period and added a helper on Stefan Noesen's game-winner in the third. The 31-year-old Kuznetsov ended the regular season with just two helpers over his last 13 games, resulting in him dropping to a bottom-six role to begin the playoffs. He had 24 points across 63 appearances in the regular season, by far his worst full campaign, but he could be a key depth scorer if the Hurricanes go on a deep run.

Kuznetsov snapped a four-game pointless streak with an assist in Thursday's 4-0 win over the Red Wings.

EDGE Analysis

Considering he was put on waivers by the Capitals prior to being dealt to the Hurricanes at the trade deadline, Kuznetsov has really managed to resurrect his season, and possibly his career, since his arrival in Raleigh. He now has six points (two goals, four assists) in nine games with his new team, and he's provided the Canes with valuable depth scoring while playing on the third line with Martin Necas and Jordan Martinook.