Kuznetsov is not needed: SKA broke up with the team leaders after being eliminated from the playoffs

The unsuccessful performance of St. Petersburg SKA, which was eliminated after the first round of the KHL playoffs, led to radical personnel decisions. The club has already terminated the contract with its main star Evgeny Kuznetsov, and the young army leader Ivan Demidov joined the Montreal Canadiens NHL team. It is also possible to part ways with SKA captain Alexander Nikishin, strikers Arseniy Gritsyuk and Zakhar Bardakov. Read more about the situation in the Izvestia article.

Kuznetsov

The two–time world champion, 2018 Stanley Cup winner, and Alexander Ovechkin's longtime partner in the Washington Capitals returned to Russia last summer after 10 seasons in the NHL. Kuznetsov's recent years overseas have not been very successful, but it was expected that he would be able to show his best qualities in SKA.

And the 33-year-old striker's media potential promised special attention to the club and the entire league. In terms of attention, the expectations were indeed fulfilled. But from a gaming point of view, Evgeny's season turned out to be a mess. It was partly influenced by injuries and adaptation in the league. Kuznetsov managed to play out in the playoff series with Dynamo, but this did not save SKA from relegation.

Two-time Gagarin Cup winner (2012, 2013) Sergey Konkov suggested that playing and non-playing discipline could be a decisive factor in early termination of the contract.

— This is a high—class, high-level player, and everything depended on his readiness for the season and his serious attitude, - Sergey Konkov shared his opinion with Izvestia. — With the right attitude, Evgeny is able to show class. And he has shown outstanding performances this season. But from the point of view of game discipline, there were questions for him at SKA. There is talk that the discipline off the ice was not in perfect order. These are all rumors, and we don't have exact data, but I think there is no smoke without fire. First of all, what caught Kuznetsov's eye during the season was a lot of unnecessary deletions. And, probably, the last straw was the elimination in the sixth match of the series with Dynamo. The fact that this problem could not be solved by joint efforts led to the decision of the SKA management to terminate the contract with Kuznetsov ahead of schedule.

According to Evgeny Artyukhin, a former striker of the Russian national team and SKA, Kuznetsov should have no difficulty finding a new club in the KHL.

"Of course, you have to be inside the club to understand the reasons for the termination of the contract with Kuznetsov," Artyukhin said in a conversation with Izvestia. — Maybe there were disagreements with the head coach on game points or even on a personal level. Evgeny had an ambiguous season, let down by injuries that occurred at a time when he was just gaining momentum. And the pauses due to the damage prevented him from realizing his potential. But I think Kuznetsov definitely won't be out of work. Any KHL club would want to sign a player of that level and with that experience. It is pleasant for the audience to watch his game, it is convenient for coaches to build a game around him, and teammates will reach out for him, this is especially useful for young people. The whole question is, what financial opportunities do the clubs have, who will be able to find enough space under the salary cap to satisfy Evgeny's requests.

Demidov

The young striker turned only 19 in December. He made his KHL debut in November 2022 at the age of 16. Even then, his potential was visible, which allowed him to become the most valuable player of the season in the Youth Hockey League (MHL) twice. And in the current KHL draw, Ivan Demidov performed well at the adult level.

It's rare for a hockey player at that age to become the leader of a top club. Demidov became SKA's top scorer in the season with 48 (18+30) points in the goal+pass system in 67 regular season matches. And this was at the end of the regular season, after a series of unsuccessful games, Roman Rotenberg began to trust Ivan with less playing time.

Because of this, Demidov started the series against Dynamo as the 13th striker, but during the second game he was transferred to the first link to Kuznetsov. And SKA's attacking potential immediately increased. And Ivan scored 5 (2+3) points in six playoff games.

"It's a great time for Demidov to make his NHL debut,— Konkov said. — In the playoff series with Dynamo, as well as in the regular season, he performed very well. It is no coincidence that the young player became the leader of the team in points. He plays very sharp. And the playoffs showed it. I was surprised that Demidov didn't play much at the beginning of the series with Dynamo. But as soon as he was given enough playing time, Ivan dramatically increased his SKA. This is a player who is able to adapt quickly to the NHL. And now in the playoffs, he won't spoil the picture for Montreal.

Demidov's contract with SKA officially expired on May 31. But the club met the player halfway, terminating him ahead of schedule. Ivan was able to sign a three-season deal with the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday, who selected him in the first round of the draft last summer. Our young striker may soon make his debut in one of the last matches of the NHL regular season and play in the playoffs, which will start in the second half of February.

"This is already an NHL—level player in terms of talent and current results," believes Evgeny Artyukhin. — I am sure that Demidov himself, his representatives, and the management of Montreal have calculated the moment when he should make his debut overseas. It's no coincidence that club managers have been following him all last season and even came to St. Petersburg when Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes, special adviser Vincent Lecavalier and scout Nikolai Bobrov attended two SKA matches in December and talked with Demidov and Roman Rotenberg. They have been closely monitoring Ivan and are clearly aware of his current level.

Nikishin

By the age of 23, Nikishin had become one of the strongest defenders in the league. Back in 2022, playing for Spartak Moscow, Alexander joined the national team and became an Olympic silver medalist. And in three seasons at SKA, he broke performance records among defenders. Leaving for the Carolina Hurricanes, who drafted him in 2020, has long seemed like a matter of time.

Since the contract with the St. Petersburg club expires this spring, few doubt Nikishin's imminent departure to the NHL. His role in the SKA game cannot be overestimated. It is significant that last year's relegation in the second round of the KHL playoffs from Avtomobilist happened at the moment when Alexander was injured. And this year, he missed the start of the series with Dynamo due to injury, and when he returned, his shots from the blue line immediately strengthened the attacking potential of the team, especially in the majority.

— Nikishin is absolutely ready for the NHL and was ready even much earlier, — Sergey Konkov emphasized. — And only contractual obligations bound him to the St. Petersburg team. Alexander is the leader of SKA, showing a cool game. He gained the necessary experience in St. Petersburg, matured, and became a master. And now he will need the minimum amount of time to adapt to the NHL. Will it be difficult for SKA to find a replacement for Nikishin? A holy place is never empty. In any case, SKA has a huge number of young players with great potential. And they need time to prove themselves, mature and gain a foothold in the KHL. There will definitely be some. And they will lead the team.

Gritsyuk

Back in 2020-2022, Arseniy Gritsyuk performed well in his native Omsk Avangard, winning the Gagarin Cup in 2021 and becoming one of the most talented young players in the league. After joining SKA, he also played a lot of exciting matches in two seasons, although he sometimes got into the rotation.

Earlier this week, Hrytsyuk posted a post on social media thanking SKA and the St. Petersburg fans. It was perceived as a farewell. If Arseny does not stay in the Northern Capital, then his path lies to the NHL, to the New Jersey Devils club.

— Arseny has been very serious about himself in the league for a long time, — said Sergey Konkov. He has a slightly different situation than Nikishin and Demidov, but now he is in good shape and has every chance to prove himself. Hrytsyuk is a mobile, fast player with good technique and vision of the court. He is able to gain a foothold in the NHL.

Messes

Zakhar Bardakov's name is less stellar compared to the four previous mentioned players, but his role in the SKA game is no less significant. Due to the numerous rough work, the ability to fight, use force techniques and score decisive goals, the striker has been one of the leaders of the team for several seasons.

— Zakhar is one of the key players of SKA, — Konkov explained. — He is the real engine of the team, a player who is effective both offensively and defensively, and in pressure, and in the minority, and in the majority. This is an all-rounder with good physics and leadership qualities. His energy is very high. Messakov created many moments with his activity and pressure. His actions led to the selection of goals, after which SKA scored goals. The role of this player cannot be overestimated.

Effects

Even the confirmed departures of Kuznetsov and Demidov will significantly change SKA in the offseason. And in the event of the loss of Nikishin, Gritsyuk and Bardakov, we will once again see a radical renewal of the army team, which occurs after each of the three full seasons when the team is led by Roman Rotenberg.

— Let's see how such changes in the squad will affect SKA next season, but when so many players leave the club, and of such a high class, it will affect the team, — Sergey Konkov is sure. — In any case, when you have a huge number of high-level hockey players in your squad and not everyone has enough playing time, some of them will not be satisfied with their position. Guys don't always feel confident in themselves. Not everyone is ready to play in such an environment. If you balance the squad by making no more than five links, and let talented young people into the remaining positions, then it will be easier for the players themselves and the coaching staff in terms of team management. And the competition will continue, and at the same time, all hockey players will have the right playing tone.

Meanwhile, on April 18, a meeting of the SKA board of directors will be held, at which the results of the season will be summed up and the head coach's report will be heard.