With the NHL offseason in full swing, rumors and speculation are swirling around the league, and few stories have captured the attention of Montreal Canadiens fans quite like the mysterious connection between their team and Evgeny Kuznetsov.

As the dust settled after the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the hockey world turned its gaze toward the draft and free agency, whispers began to circulate about a possible blockbuster move involving the enigmatic Russian center.

But what really happened behind closed doors in Montreal’s front office? Did the Canadiens truly consider bringing in a player with such a storied career—and what factors ultimately shaped their decision?

In a summer marked by bold moves and unexpected twists, the Canadiens’ strategy seemed to shift in surprising ways, leaving fans and insiders alike questioning what might have been.

Was Kuznetsov ever close to donning the iconic red, white, and blue jersey? Or was the interest merely a fleeting moment in the chaotic world of NHL negotiations?

As new details emerge and insiders weigh in, the real story is finally starting to take shape. But one thing is certain: the truth behind Montreal’s pursuit of Kuznetsov is far more intriguing than anyone could have imagined.

May 16, 2024; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Evgeny Kuznetsov (92) looks on against the New York Rangers during the first period in game six of the second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

Photo credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

Before the NHL Draft and the opening of free agency, several rumors linked Evgeny Kuznetsov to the Montreal Canadiens.

The connection was easy to make, as the veteran had been Ivan Demidov’s teammate last season with SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL.

The Habs ultimately chose Joe Veleno as a left-handed center, a decision that was certainly more conservative than signing the enigmatic 33-year-old Russian forward.

Several teams reportedly showed interest in Evgeny Kuznetsov this summer

We are now at the beginning of September, and the former Washington Capitals player is still without a contract, whether in the KHL or the NHL.

However, according to RNMB, it was not for a lack of interest across the NHL.

The forward’s agent even confirmed that he had been in contact with more than 10 teams this summer.

“Everything is still at the discussion stage.

There are several teams we have spoken to, more than 10 teams.

With some, it was positive, but others declined.”

– Shumi Babaev

It is now worth asking: were the Habs one of those 10 teams?

The answer is.. YES!

Kent Hughes reportedly inquired about Ivan Demidov’s former teammate

As the excellent Marco D’Amico from RG Media mentioned earlier this summer, the Habs did indeed show interest in Kuznetsov.

In the end, the insider and journalist noted that the Habs still had confidence in Kirby Dach to center the second line, but they wanted insurance on the left side.

They ultimately got it with Joe Veleno and not Kuznetsov.

It will be interesting to see where Kuznetsov ends up in the coming weeks.

At a low salary, it’s certain that a team will want to take a chance on a player who has 743 NHL games and over 575 points in the NHL.

So it’s interesting to learn that yes, the Montreal Canadiens did indeed contact Kuznetsov, but no, it obviously didn’t lead to an official signing.