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:
Given that Kuznetsov hasn’t gone through a full practice and has to learn the system Oates says they will “definitely ease him in”.
— Katie Carrera (@kcarrera) March 10, 2014
Oates: “I think it makes sense to start him on that line no matter what in fairness to the other guys….he’s got to earn his stripes.”
— Katie Carrera (@kcarrera) March 10, 2014
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.”