Evgeny Kuznetsov

Evgeny Kuznetsov speaks to reporters for the first time after being suspended three games by the NHL

Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov spoke to reporters on Saturday for the first time since testing positive for cocaine. Hours removed from his first career NHL suspension— a three-game ban — Kuznetsov, wearing a long grey sweatshirt, opened up about the most challenging time of his career.

“It was a pretty hard summer for me,” Kuznetsov admitted.

“I want to move forward, and the one thing I can do best is play hockey,” he added. “I feel bad for my friends, for my teammates, for the organization, for the fans that they have to deal with this news. But I will pay back more than people give me right now.”

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Evgeny Kuznetsov responds to suspension; Caps avoid salary-cap crisis

Through the Capitals, Evgeny Kuznetsov has released a statement regarding the NHL’s announcement to suspend him for three games following his failed drug test earlier this year. In the statement, Kuznetsov, who has kept a low profile since returning to DC, apologizes for disappointing his family, team, and fans, and says he will not appeal the decision.

Meanwhile, The Washington Post’s Isabelle Khurshudyan reports that Kuznetsov’s salary-cap hit will not count during his three-game suspension, which should allow the Caps to avoid having to make a roster move before the season begins.

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Evgeny Kuznetsov was flying during his Capitals Training Camp skate test

Over the last year or so, Evgeny Kuznetsov has experienced the best and worst parts of being an NHL superstar. The Russian center helped lead the Capitals to the franchise’s first Stanley Cup in June 2018 and later brought the NHL’s championship trophy to his hometown of Chelyabinsk. Fast forward to this summer, the Kuznetsovs had their second child, a baby boy they named Fedor, in June. But it was around then that things went south. A Russian Twitter user uploaded a video of Kuznetsov by lines of a white powdery substance. Kuznetsov denied using drugs, but in late August, he was suspended four years by the IIHF for testing positive for cocaine. Kuznetsov, who recently met with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, deleted all of his photos and videos off Instagram. He hasn’t spoken to the reporters. He’s been the subject of relentless taunts by “Capitals fans” on social media.

But quietly, Kuznetsov has gone about his business at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. Kuzy spent most of the summer in the United States, training with whichever Capitals players were around and working with strength and conditioning coach Mark Nemish.

“I look at him and he’s in great shape,” Alex Ovechkin recently said. “He’s going to be good this year.”

Friday, Kuznetsov had his first chance to show off his progress to his coaches. He dominated his skate test along with Jakub Vrana as a member of Team White – the Caps’ first training camp group of the morning.

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Evgeny Kuznetsov will not speak to the media until Gary Bettman makes his ruling

Washington Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan started off Caps Media Day with several organizational updates, including on Evgeny Kuznetsov.

In late August, Kuznetsov was suspended for four years by the IIHF after testing positive at the World Championship for cocaine. Kuznetsov will not speak to reporters until NHL commissioner Gary Bettman makes a ruling.

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