Kuznetsov reveals the real reason for his entry into the assistance program
Photo credit: WOWK
The last year has been quite challenging for Evgeny Kuznetsov in the NHL.
He utilized the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program, returned to play only to be placed on waivers, and was eventually traded to the Carolina Hurricanes.
It's fair to say that Washington Capitals GM Brian MacLellan got rid of him.
Many thought, wrongly as we now learn, that the Russian forward was struggling with substance abuse issues.
He did have a previous incident in this area, as in 2019, he received a four-year ban from playing in his home country after a test revealed he had used.
Evgeny Kuznetsov reveals the truth about his entry into the NHL's Player Assistance Program
In an interview with The Hockey News, the forward who will now continue his career with SKA St. Petersburg admitted the real reason he had to turn to the player assistance program. It was indeed for an addiction problem, but not for cocaine, rather for the use of painkillers.
It should be known that Kuznetsov suffers from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a debilitating disease that affects the health and stability of the joints.
The pain can sometimes be intense, and the medication helps him manage it.
"No one really believed me. I was suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. I was taking pills and shots all year long... I couldn't sleep for a year; I could only sleep two hours a night. I'm not one to complain, but I had to do it, and no one really believed me. (GM) Brian MacLellan didn't even know I had been suffering all year." - Evgeny Kuznetsov
The good news is that Kuznetsov himself claims he hasn't taken anything for the past three months. He even says he feels better since.
He will have the chance to revive his career in the KHL in the coming weeks. It will be interesting to see if he can make a name for himself again and return to the NHL one day.
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