Barry Smith: Kuznetsov may be ready for the Big League, but he won’t be a star straight away

American coach Barry Smith, formerly of SKA St. Petersburg, shared his views on Russia’s new rising star Evegny Kuznetsov.

«Is he ready for the NHL?»

«Yes. But he won’t be a star there. Ovechkin did it, earning over 100 points in his first season, but for Kuznetsov it will take a couple of seasons. After the Olympics he will be a top player,» the former Penguins and Red Wings assistant coach told Sovetsky sport.