Amid an offseason riddled with roster changeover, Evgeny Kuznetsov isn't one to believe the Washington Capitals got worse.
The twice reigning President's Trophy winners surely lost significant talent from their roster, as regulars Justin Williams, Karl Alzner, Marcus Johansson, and prized deadline acquisition Kevin Shattenkirk will be suiting up in different spots across the Eastern Conference next season.
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Still, Kuznetsov - who begins the first season of an eight-year, $62.4-million contract extension in 2017-18 - is adamant Washington will remain competitive.
"I don't like when people say we're a bad team right now," Kuznetsov said, according to Tom Gulitti of NHL.com. "That's bull to me. It's not about the names. It's about the guys when they come together."
Presumed Cup favorites two years in a row, the Capitals twice faltered in the second round against the Pittsburgh Penguins, who went on to win the title each time.
In spite of the back-to-back crushing defeats, Kuznetsov believes his remaining teammates can use the past disappointment as a rallying point, rather than dwell on missed opportunities.
"I think we should be the team that is going to focus game by game and not focus all the way to the Cup," Kuznetsov said. "Of course we have to think about that, but we have to take what we have today. Let's practice together, let's work hard, let's help your partner be better, let's push him ... It's always good competition so that's the team we have to be. We're hungry."
In 82 games last season, Kuznetsov recorded 19 goals and 40 assists, and added 10 more points in 13 playoff games.
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