Moments after drafting Evgeny Kuznetsov with the 26th overall pick, GM George McPhee revealed that he had been willing to trade up as many as 10 spots to nab the player he and his scouts had targeted as their 2010 first round selection.
Turns out he didn’t need to. Kuznetsov was right there when Gary Bettman announced that it was Washington’s turn.
Here’s my story from Staples Center, and here are a few items of interest about the Caps’ newest Russian:
*He can line up at wing or center, though McPhee said the Caps drafted him with the hope he’ll become a play-making pivot.
*He’s listed at 6 foot, 172 pounds (which might be a little generous).
*He scored two goals and notched seven assists as an 18-year-old for Chelyabinsk of the KHL. He really made a name for himself in three international tournaments: world juniors (where he scored two goals in six games with McPhee watching) and two under-18 tournaments in Belarus…..