Overview

• Insider reports indicate the 33-year-old is awaiting Toronto’s decision, with the Panthers also under consideration.
• The Maple Leafs have about $1.14 million in cap space, according to PuckPedia, and could explore trades to create flexibility.
• Florida is evaluating him as center depth with captain Aleksander Barkov expected to miss the season following ACL surgery.
• Agent Shumi Babaev says Kuznetsov intends to return to the NHL, noting earlier reports of interest from roughly 10 teams.
• After a year with SKA Saint Petersburg, he remains unsigned as the 2025–26 season approaches.