The Washington Capitals made center Evgeny Kuznetsov a healthy scratch Monday against the Arizona Coyotes, head coach Spencer Carbery announced before the game per the Washington Post's Bailey Johnson.
Carbery said Kuznetsov needs a "mental reset."
The club without Kuznetsov lined up as follows:
Lineys!#CapsYotes | @JackDaniels_US pic.twitter.com/eh7k1gumy9
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 5, 2023
It's the first time Kuznetsov has been a healthy scratch since May 3, 2021, when he was late to a team function and sat for disciplinary reasons.
Kuznetsov produced just four goals and five assists in 19 games this season and has only managed one point in his last six contests. He's struggled defensively, too.
I wonder what the Capitals saw in Kuznetsov's minutes so far this season that made them decide to healthy scratch him. pic.twitter.com/Hba2ejnzn9
— Micah Blake McCurdy (@IneffectiveMath) December 4, 2023
The 31-year-old reportedly requested a trade this past offseason. He has two years left on his contract with a $7.8-million cap hit, making him the third-highest-paid player on the active roster.
Kuznetsov has spent his entire 11-year career in Washington and ranks seventh on the franchise's all-time points list with 560.
