Silber: Last Chance? Where Capitals, Kuznetsov Go From Here | WHN+

A cloud still hangs over Evgeny Kuznetsov and the Washington Capitals regarding his future, and general manager Brian MacLellan didn’t provide too much reassurance at the end of the season.

MacLellan dropped ominous comments during his season-ending press conference after the Boston Bruins handed the Capitals their third consecutive first-round exit.

“We need him to play at his highest ability,” MacLellan said. “And if he can’t play at his highest ability, we’re not going to be a good team, and we’d have to make some other decisions.”

McLellan offered protection for a couple of big names but excluded the Russian center.