Movember Evgeny Kuznetsov (89) review

Stats in 10 games of D2/D1: 6G 9A +1 2PIM

Line: Base Ovechkin-Mov Backstrom-Mov Kuznetsov

PP1 with the same line mates

Synergies activated: PP, TT, B

Skating: 8/10

Kuznetsov doesn't blaze past guys most of the time. He has very good agility and average acceleration. He's a good guy to have on the rush and is able to get around defenders with a combination of agility and hands. He can squeak past guys going for the hit along the boards with his speed, as he's not Jagr slow.

Shooting: 8/10

Kuznetsov has a deadly one timer. If he's between the dots in the zone on the power play and you put it on his stick, he'll put it anywhere you want. He has an accurate wrist shot, and I didn't take too many slap shots with him. He doesn't have the same power as Ovechkin and Stamkos, but he definitely has the accuracy to keep up with some of the other wingers you might have.

Hands: 9.5/10

I'm only giving him a 9.5 because 10 would be saying he's the best in the game. Kuzy can pull off just about any deke you throw at him flawlessly. He has quick hands and passing is just as good as any other top of the league playmaker. He would have more assists if I wasn't trying so hard to score with him every time he was on the ice these last 10 games. I'd say he's almost on par with Movember Backstrom or CC Datsyuk.

Checking: 3/10

Kuznetsov is not a very big guy. He gets thrown around a lot, but he makes up for it with agility and his ability to avoid the big hits. You don't want Shea Weber stepping up on Kuznetsov, cause that'll be lights out for the rest of the game.

Defense: 7/10

For a center, his faceoffs are nothing to write home about, but on a team lacking center depth, you could throw him in there. He has average pokechecking and defensive awareness. He does make some decent pass interceptions, but I don't notice him doing that anymore than any other AI does on the ice.

Overall: 9/10

Movember Kuznetsov with the plus one rating has been noticeably better than the 88 rating he had a week ago. I wouldn't expect him to log PK time, but throw him in your top 6 with someone who can score like Ovechkin and Stamkos and he will be feeding them all day with no problems.

I'm aware this review may be subpar, but I wanted to give it a try with my favorite player. Hopefully it helps someone out.