Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Oates trying to not get too excited about Kuznetsov’s play

Vancouver Canucks v Washington Capitals

at Verizon Center on March 14, 2014 in Washington, DC.

Rob Carr

Washington Capitals rookie Evgeny Kuznetsov had a heck of a breakout game against Vancouver on Friday night.

After notching his first three NHL assists against the Canucks, Caps fans are excited about the arrival of the 2010 first-round pick. Washington coach Adam Oates, however, is trying to keep everyone’s excitement in check as Chuck Gormley of CSNWashington.com shares.

“I really want to caution about getting to far ahead,” Oates said. “He made a couple good plays. Good. He can make a couple boneheads tomorrow. He’s a good hockey player, he’s played pro hockey, even though it’s over there. Do I expect him to make that pass to Willy? It was a great pass. Awesome. Is he learning? Yeah, I hope so. But I also want to caution myself on the wow factor.”

We’re sure some fans in Washington are going to look at Oates being like a wet blanket, but it’s true that one game doesn’t make a career.

At 21 years old, Kuznetsov could have a long NHL career ahead of him. At this point, however, he’s just three games into it. If he can keep up the solid play from Friday night, he won’t be going away any time soon.

Follow @JoeYerdonPHT