Capitals’ Evgeny Kuznetsov Enters The NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program – News18

ARLINGTON, Va.: Washington Capitals middle Evgeny Kuznetsov has entered the NHL/NHLPA participant help program, and the group is now making ready for the stretch run of the season with out him.

Kuznetsov can be away from the group indefinitely whereas he receives care. Under the phrases of this system, he can return to the group for observe after which video games when cleared by directors.

“There’s not a lot of background of what we know,” coach Spencer Carbery stated after the Capitals morning skate Tuesday. “There’s not a lot of background information that they share with us, other than just the fact that he’s in the program. So, for us, as organization, staff, players, it’s just supporting him and his family as he gets the help that he needs.”

Kuznetsov missed observe Monday for what the group stated was private causes. Because of confidentiality guidelines, groups will not be instructed particulars of a participant’s absence.

“First and foremost, we’re thinking of Kuz and hope he’s doing well and getting healthy,” veteran winger T.J. Oshie stated. “Any time we lose kind of one of those core players to our group, especially these days with one of the players that was here when we had our Cup run, that’s a big hole to fill.”

Kuznetsov was the Capitals’ main scorer on their 2018 Stanley Cup run, and he has endured many ups and downs since.

In 2019, he was suspended with out pay for 3 common-season video games by the NHL for “inappropriate conduct,” lower than a month after he was banned from taking part in for Russia for 4 years due to a constructive check for cocaine.

He was almost some extent-a-recreation participant in 2021-22, then struggled once more in 2022-23. After Kuznetsov’s identify was once more part of commerce discuss final summer time, the 31-12 months-outdated Russian is in the midst of one other disappointing season in Washington with 17 factors by means of 43 video games.

His absence nonetheless leaves a void in the midst of the ice.

“There’s no one person that can slide in and do what Kuzy does,” Oshie stated. “It’s going to come from a group. It’s going to be important for our centermen as a whole to help with those faceoffs, help with those (penalty kill), power play minutes, to help us out down the middle and the rest of us to make it easy on our centermen because we do know they have a little bit larger of a load than maybe they normally would have.”

The Capitals recalled 31-12 months-outdated Michael Sgarbossa from Hershey of the American Hockey League to take Kuznetsov’s spot. Carbery stated he spoke with gamers to deal with Kuznetsov’s departure, regardless that what he might say was restricted.

“There’s not a lot that I can share, other than just here’s what’s going on with your teammate, your brother, a member of our family,” Carbery stated. “It’s a lot of people that are concerned for him and his family, and that’s really where a lot of the conversations and thoughts have gone.”

It’s unclear how lengthy Kuznetsov may be out. He is within the penultimate season of an eight-12 months, $62.4 million contract.

Kuznetsov is the fourth participant this season introduced to be within the joint NHL/NHLPA program after Columbus’ Patrik Laine and Colorado’s Samuel Girard and Valeri Nichushkin.

Girard, who opened up about anxiousness and melancholy resulting in alcohol abuse, was away from hockey for a few month. He returned to observe in November and performed his first recreation on New Year’s Eve.

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(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)