Evgeny Kuznetsov

Russian forward known for his bird celebration and 2018 Stanley Cup win with the Capitals.

Yevgeny Evgenyevich Kuznetsov (born 19 May 1992) is a Russian professional ice hockey player who is a forward for Sibir Novosibirsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He previously played for the Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes in the National Hockey League (NHL) and Traktor Chelyabinsk, SKA Saint Petersburg, Metallurg Magnitogorsk and Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the KHL. He has represented Russia in junior and senior level competitions on numerous occasions, winning gold medals at the 2011 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, as well as at the 2012 IIHF World Championship and 2014 IIHF World Championship.

Kuznetsov won the Stanley Cup with the Capitals in 2018, leading the playoffs in point-scoring with 32 points, the most by any player in a single postseason since Evgeni Malkin in 2009. Kuznetsov is known for his bird celebration he used throughout the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs, as well as the rest of his career, earning him the nickname "the Birdman."

Quick Facts

Born: 19 May 1992
Birthplace: Chelyabinsk, Russia
Position: forward
Shoots: Left
League: KHL
Team: Sibir Novosibirsk
Draft: 26th overall
Drafted by: Washington Capitals

Lore & Background

Kuznetsov made his professional debut in the 2009–10 season with Traktor Chelyabinsk of the KHL. He was selected in the first round, 26th overall, by the Washington Capitals in the 2010 NHL entry draft. On 8 March 2014, he signed an entry-level contract with the Capitals. On 25 March, he scored his first career NHL goal, a short-handed goal, against the Los Angeles Kings.

On 23 April 2015, he scored his first two Stanley Cup playoff goals against the New York Islanders. On 27 April 2015, he scored the game-winning goal in game seven of the Eastern Conference Quarter-finals against the Islanders. During the 2015–16 season, he was named to his first All-Star Game as a replacement for Alexander Ovechkin. On 2 July 2017, the Capitals re-signed him to an eight-year, $62.4 million contract.

In 24 playoff games in 2018, Kuznetsov had 12 goals and 20 assists for a total of 32 points. His series-clinching overtime winner in game six against Pittsburgh secured the Capitals’ first berth in the Eastern Conference Finals since 1998. His four assists in game four of the Stanley Cup Final made him only the fourth NHL player to record that many in a finals game. Kuznetsov led the league with 32 points in the 2018 postseason, but lost to Alex Ovechkin in the Conn Smythe Trophy competition.

On 14 September 2019, the NHL suspended Kuznetsov for three games for cocaine use. On 5 February 2024, he entered the NHL Player Assistance Program. On 2 March, he was cleared to return to practice and was waived by the Capitals. On 4 March, he cleared waivers and was loaned to the Hershey Bears.

On 8 March 2024, he was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes. On 17 July 2024, the Hurricanes placed him on unconditional waivers for the purpose of mutually terminating his contract. As a free agent, he signed a four-year contract with SKA Saint Petersburg on 31 July 2024. Following elimination in the first-round of the playoffs, he and SKA mutually agreed to terminate the remainder of his contract on 9 April 2025.

On October 1, he signed a one-year contract with Metallurg Magnitogorsk. On 8 August 2026, he signed a one-year contract with HC Sibir Novosibirsk.

Reader's Guide

Kuznetsov was considered one of the most accurate passers in the game. Capitals teammate Tom Wilson said of him, "He just tells me to put my stick on the ice and he'll hit it. It's a privilege to play with him. He's one of the best at his craft."

Trotz considers Kuznetsov to be a highly intelligent player, saying, "Kuznetsov has an extremely high hockey IQ. He loves to study film. He sees what others don't." Teammate Lars Eller agrees: "Kuzy has a very high IQ. He’s a very smart player."

Kuznetsov debuted the bird dance at the 2016 World Cup when he scored an end-to-end goal against Matt Murray of Team North America. After taking a break from the celebration, his "joyful prancing bird celebration" reappeared in the 2018 NHL post-season. Kuznetsov claims he brought back the bird because his daughter "loves that stuff." Kuznetsov "lifted" the bird dance celebration from the FIFA soccer video game.