NHL to Suspend Evgeny Kuznetsov After Testing Positive for Cocaine
By Mark Powell
Long discussed as a likelihood after being banned for four years by the IIHF for testing positive for cocaine (which they view as a performance-enhancing drug), the NHL is also coming down on Evgeny Kusnetsov.
The Caps star is likely to be suspended up to three games for the positive test, as the NHL doesn't view this as nearly a serious offense as the IIHF.
Breaking: Evgeny Kuznetsov to be suspended by the NHL. Won't be more than three games. Announcement coming today. https://t.co/kDS1xgbYgn
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) September 14, 2019
This all stems from a video which surface this summer of Kuznetsov with a white powder, which at the time he strongly denied was any sort of illegal drug. At this point, we know that to not be the truth.
To his credit, Kuznetsov has voluntarily sought out help on his own without the NHL's intervention. Still, a punishment was always likely, and this allows the NHL to state they won't tolerate any sort of illegal substances.
Evgeny Kuznetsov was due to meet with Commissioner Gary Bettman this week. He was not on the ice today after being a regular at the informal practices all summer. #Caps
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) September 9, 2019
Kuznetsov will miss the start of the regular season should this level of punishment be handed down, but it surely could've been much worse for the 27-year-old.
The Russian had 72 points in 2018-19, contributing 21 goals and 51 assists to a loaded Caps roster.