The Magnitogorsk “Metallurg” announced the signing of forward **Evgeny Kuznetsov** through an audio file featuring the player’s own words.

**”A five-year contract with ‘Traktor’ or a five-year deal with ‘Washington’?”**
**”Is there no option with ‘Magnitka’?”** Kuznetsov replied.

It’s worth noting that in the previous season, the 33-year-old forward played for St. Petersburg’s SKA. During the 2025/2026 KHL regular season, Kuznetsov appeared in only 39 games due to various injuries, accumulating 37 points (12 goals and 25 assists). Evgeny had played in the NHL for the Washington Capitals from 2014 to 2024, during which time he helped the team secure the Stanley Cup. In total, Kuznetsov has participated in 296 games within the Continental Hockey League, scoring 91 goals and providing 116 assists.