Evgeny Kuznetsov's current and former teammates are speaking for the first time on the dynamic forward's positive test for cocaine at the World Championship and his subsequent four-year ban from international play. In an interview with Sportsnet, Tom Wilson says Kuznetzov's fellow Washington Capitals "have his back."
"Hopefully he can get through it. It's never something you like to see in the media, but I'm sure he'll learn. He'll grow as a person and a player. We're focused on Capitals. Whatever happens with the international stuff, it's none of our business. I know he takes a lot of pride in playing for his country."
The NHL does not consider cocaine to be a performance-enhancing drug, therefore Kuznetzov is not facing a suspension from playing in the league. He has agreed to enroll in the NHL/NHLPA's substance-abuse education and counselling program and has to undergo regular testing.
Brett Connolly, who played on a line with Kuznetzov last season before signing with Florida this summer, says Kuznetzov is a good person and he'll get through this.
"He'll deal with it. He's a good person, a good family man. He's got a little girl and they had another baby [a boy, Fedor, in June]. He'll get through it," Connolly told Sportsnet. "That's life: You make mistakes, and you own up to them. He owned up to it. He knows. I love Kuzy. He's an amazing player and really fun to be around. He really helped me the last two years, and he'll be fine."
Meanwhile, fellow Russian Sergei Bobrovsky has posted a message of support for Kuznetzov on his Instagram account
Source: Sportsnet
