Evgeny Kuznetsov topped out with a career-best 83 points the year the Capitals won the Stanley Cup, and two years later, is still showing signs of growth in his game.
In his seventh NHL season, Craig Laughlin argues there's still another level for Kuznetsov to reach. Laughlin sees Kuzy as a potential 100-point-per-season player.
"I think if Kuzy did more of that," 106.7 The Fan's Danny Rouhier said. "We know the skill is there – the end-to-end, the gliding and how just incredible his hands are – but if he added that to his game more regularly, who knows how many points that guy could score. What did you make of that?"
"And even though Shea Weber got an unlucky bounce and the puck bounced over his stick, he knew he was being pressured by Kuzy," he said. "The puck gave an unlucky bounce to the Montreal Canadiens, but Kuzy was right there to make a very aggressive play, number one. Number two, the effort to get to Oshie, to tap it to Vrana, was spectacular.
"If Kuzy doesn't play like that, the Capitals aren't as good," Laughlin continued. "When Kuzy's in control – and he was for a couple of shifts during the game where he was just the best player on the ice, he dominated – and to me, that's a sign of good things."
"I think Kuznetsov has to continue to grow as a player," he said. "I think we've seen some of his best work arguably in the playoffs in the past, but he's still got more, and he's a guy that, arguably, I would say would be a 100-point guy if he gets consistent in his play. And (Monday) night was a good start for him. I loved his game (Monday) night."
