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Kuznetsov to start on Caps’ fourth line

kuznetsov 2

From CSN Washington:

Judging from the Capitals’ morning skate on Monday, the Evgeny Kuznetsov era will begin on a fourth line with Jay Beagle and Tom Wilson tonight against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

In his first practice with Capitals teammates after signing his first NHL contract on Saturday, Kuznetsov practiced on a fourth line, with the possibility of moving up during tonight’s game.

Though some may argue a player with Kuznetsov’s skills would be better suited in the top six with the likes of Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom, Caps head coach Adam Oates feels otherwise:

Remember that tonight is only Kuznetsov’s first game in the NHL. The 21-year-old has a ton of potential, and he put up impressive numbers in the KHL. But as Jason Chimera puts it, “It’s not like we traded for Wayne Gretzky in his prime.”