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.
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.
While the dog days of summer might have clouded some of our memories, this offseason has seen a lot of movement among players.
Free agency and trades get hockey fans excited about what could be, but players also get giddy about the idea of who they might have the opportunity play alongside as the new season approaches.
While many players will certainly benefit from a new change of scenery, many NHLers will also be the beneficiaries of new teammates brought in by their respected general managers.
Here are five players who should benefit most by their team's wheeling and dealing this summer:
John Tavares
The 2016-17 season on paper was John Tavares' least productive season since his rookie campaign in 2010.
The 26-year-old tallied 66 points in 77 games while playing alongside Anders Lee and Josh Bailey. However, the newly-acquired Jordan Eberle should slot in on Tavares' right wing next season.
Bailey collected a career-high 56 points in 2016-17, while Eberle tallied 51 in a down year. Over the course of their careers, Eberle has been the better offensive option (averaging 25 goals per season) and this past season he also had a better shooting percentage than that of Bailey.
Tavares and Eberle made magic as teammates at the world juniors back in 2009 and Tavares should benefit from reuniting with Eberle once again.
Alexander Wennberg
Alex Wennberg took a big step forward last season, tallying 59 points in 80 games. The addition of Artemi Panarin, however, should result in a spike in Wennberg's production.
The Columbus Blue Jackets swung a deal to acquire the former Chicago Blackhawks sniper this offseason and Wennberg should reap the benefits because of it. Having proven to be an elite set-up man, Wennberg should pad his totals now that Panarin will be at his side to finish things off.
Nick Foligno had a strong season tallying 26 goals and 51 points, but let's be honest, he doesn't have the same kind of release and goal-scoring ability as Panarin.
Wennberg might not be up to Patrick Kane's level, but the two should be in a position to thrive.
Max Domi
He might not be an elite No. 1 center, but Derek Stepan will certainly be an upgrade for Max Domi.
The Arizona Coyotes forward played the majority of the 2016-17 season with rookie Christian Dvorak, with Domi tallying just nine goals and 38 points after being limited to 59 games due to injury.
Alongside Stepan, Domi will be able to play with a seasoned centerman who has been a consistent producer. Playing with a player of Stepan's ilk should only help Domi to further develop into a solid offensive winger.
Jonathan Toews
While the Panarin-Brandon Saad trade might appear to be a win for the Blue Jackets, it shouldn't necessarily come without benefit for the Blackhawks.
The deal is likely to reunite Saad with Jonathan Toews, which should be good news for Toews.
Toews has had back-to-back 58-point seasons since Saad was dealt to the Blue Jackets, both down years for the Blachhawks captain. In the previous three seasons he totaled 182 points in 204 games while playing with Saad.
Toews never fully got into a groove last season, with several different players patrolling the left flank on his line. More consistency and a return to familiarity should help get Toews back to his career highs.
Auston Matthews
Auston Matthews had an impeccable rookie campaign, but with veteran Patrick Marleau at his side, he should be set to best his 2017 totals.
During the 2016-17 season, Matthews played with left winger Zach Hyman more than any other teammate. The fellow rookie had an admirable season, but one thing is certain, his offensive talents don't compare to that of Marleau's.
Marleau tallied 17 more goals than Hyman's 10 last season, while converting on 14.2 percent of his shots compared to Matthews' counterpart who boasted a shooting percent of just 6.4 percent.
Playing alongside a winger who can capitalize on opportunities on a more consistent basis and one with speed and a stronger knowledge of the game should only help Matthews continue to thrive.
Phil Kessel's social media presence remains the absolute greatest.
The Pittsburgh Penguins forward dunked on his critics during his day with the Stanley Cup, loading the chalice with hot dogs - his apparent favorite snack.
Kessel previously silenced his naysayers during the World Cup of Hockey, with a subtweet to end all subtweets directed at Team USA for leaving him off the roster.
Prince appeared in 50 games with the Islanders last season, recording five goals and 13 assists. The 24-year-old has one year remaining on his contract, and is carrying an $850,000 cap hit.
The Islanders originally acquired Prince from the Ottawa Senators at the 2016 trade deadline.
Prince appeared in 50 games with the Islanders last season, recording five goals and 13 assists. The 24-year-old has one year remaining on his contract, and is carrying an $850,000 cap hit.
The Islanders originally acquired Prince from the Ottawa Senators at the 2016 trade deadline.
Barring any setbacks, St. Louis Blues forward Robby Fabbri is expected to be a full participant in training camp after tearing his ACL in early February.
The injury required major surgery and ended Fabbri's season. He's recently resumed skating with several teammates, although they're not yet permitted to make contact, according to Chris Pinkert of the team's website.
"Every morning, I'm working out in the gym," Fabbri said. "That involves a workout with (strength and conditioning coach Eric Renaghan) and doing the rehab things necessary for that day for my body and for what I'm feeling. Right now I'm skating twice a week, and that's just getting started.
"I keep upping the skates every time I go on and listening to my knee with everything to see how far I can push it."
Fabbri registered 29 goals and 37 assists in 123 games for the Blues since being drafted 21st overall in 2014. He's seen as a big part of the future in St. Louis, and is eager to prove he can bounce back from such a serious injury.
"I'm already seeing the improvements from the few skates that I've had," he said. "It's refreshing and it's exciting to get back on the ice and get back to what I love to do.
"I'm confident in myself that I'm going to be ready."
The former Kings blue-liner was named a pro scout by the club on Monday, the team announced.
Greene had been with Los Angeles since the 2008-09 season, aiding the club to Stanley Cup wins in 2012 and 2014. In 464 games with the Kings, he tallied 16 goals, 67 points, and 458 penalty minutes.
The Kings activated him off injured reserve in June - from a back injury suffered in January - after which the team bought out the remaining year on his contract.
The veteran forward, who split last season between the Los Angeles Kings and Montreal Canadiens, has signed a two-year contract with Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg of the KHL.
King tallied nine goals and seven assists in 80 games last season. A fourth-round pick by Los Angeles in 2007, he's recorded 109 points in 365 career NHL games.
The 28-year-old won the Stanley Cup with the Kings in 2012 and 2014.
