As much as the caps would appreciate the dump
Seattle isn’t doing this

Kuznetsov with retention for a minimal asset. That is probably the trade. I'm sure if Washington could move him for Wennberg (lower cap hit, less term) let alone Wennberg and assets, they would have done so.

In all likelihood, nobody wants him with his contract. Washington does not want to buy him out and retain. He is still a good player, but so is Duchene, so R. Smith, etc. That is then reality of the market under then current flat cap.