The NHL announced Saturday that Washington Capitals forward Evgeny Kuznetsov has been cleared by the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program to resume practicing with the team.
Kuznetsov, 31, entered the program on February 5. No reasons for Kuznetsov joining the program were given, but the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program is a joint project between the league and players’ organization to support players dealing with mental health, substance abuse, and other issues.
“There’s not a lot that I can share,” head coach Spencer Carbery said last month, “other than just here’s what’s going on with your teammate, your brother, a member of our family. And so 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.”
Kuznetsov scored six goals and recorded 11 assists in 43 games before entering the program. The Capitals will practice at 11 AM on Saturday morning.
Here’s the full press release from the NHL:
Capitals’ Kuznetsov cleared by NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program to resume practicing with team
NEW YORK/TORONTO (March 2, 2024) – The National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players’ Association announced today that Washington Capitals forward Evgeny Kuznetsov has been cleared to resume practicing with the team and has entered the follow-up care phase of the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. Kuznetsov has not yet been cleared to return to game action.
Kuznetsov’s care continues to be administered pursuant to the player assistance program.
