“Kuznetsov’s partners will want answers”

The IIHF’s decision to disqualify Washington Capitals striker Yevgeny Kuznetsov for four years due to the discovery of cocaine in a doping sample caused a serious reaction overseas. Many specialized media wrote about the incident. So, about the possible punishment of a Russian by the NHL reasoned by the portal The Hockey News.

“It seems that the league and the Capitals will be wary of Kuznetsov’s situation, at least in terms of providing the help he needs. But anyway, any official punishment that will not allow him to take part in the NHL games this season will be a shock, ”the article says on the publication’s website.

Meanwhile, TMZ remembered the history of the cocaine scandal with the participation of Kuznetsov in its entirety and emphasized that everything had been going to disqualify the striker for several months.

“The Washington Capitals star has been suspended from international matches after a positive cocaine test ... After the video surfaced in which Evgeny is in a hotel room with white powder tracks laid on a table, this was no surprise to anyone. .. Then the 27-year-old Kuznetsov commented on the video, and he insisted that he had never taken illegal drugs, ”the TMZ said.

At the same time, the publication emphasized that neither the NHL nor the leadership of “Washington” took any decisive action in this regard.

“The International Hockey Federation, which organizes everything from the Olympics to world championships, approaches everything a little differently. And on Friday, IIHF “soldered” Kuznetsov four years of disqualification after a positive cocaine test. In other words, he will not be able to represent his native country, Russia, at international competitions until 2023, ”TMZ notes.

In turn, The Washington Post reported that for the Washington Capitals the incident did not come as a surprise, and the club "worked on this issue." It is reported that the team leaders were extremely disappointed with the behavior of Kuznetsov, who had previously assured that he had never tried drugs, because it turned out that Eugene had lied.

Finally, the well-known American journalist Brian McNally said that Kuznetsov’s game had long been marked by a recession that could be related to drug use.

“Last season, the lack of stability in Kuznetsov’s game was already disappointing. He scored 72 points in the regular season, but at the same time he did not noticeably reach the level set in the victorious playoff series. Forget about fans and the media - after this IIHF decision, he will also have to explain himself to his teammates, ”McNally wrote on Twitter

And Fox News journalist Britt McHenry, on the contrary, stood up for Kuznetsov.

“I'm the only one who thinks four years is a bit over the top ?!” McHenry wrote on her Twitter.

“Everyone has black stripes”

Russian hockey players, who played in the NHL for many years, also mostly expressed support for Kuznetsov. In particular, Olympic champion Darius Kasparaitis, who currently resides in the United States, urged not to judge the player too harshly.

“There is nothing to be done, everyone has their drawbacks and black bars in life and career, many athletes were caught using drugs. The most important thing is that Zhenya would like help and feel support. Personally, I support him. We all made mistakes in life. For example, I haven’t been drinking alcohol for a long time, I used to have problems with this. The main thing is to realize everything and go to the other side. There is a special program in the NHL, Zhenya will be helped with rehabilitation and return. I repeat, everything happens in life. You can’t lose heart, you need to look into the future with a positive. Zhenya has a job in North America, ”cites Kasparaitis“ Championship ”.

Stanley Cup holder Ilya Bryzgalov supported the point of view of his colleague. At the same time, he emphasized that it is worth waiting for the NHL decision on this matter.

“How many scandals there have been with this WADA. In recent years, a whole train of incomprehensible confusion has been stretching, both before and after the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang. I do not care what is said in these examinations, I am more interested in what they say in the NHL after their investigation. We will build on this, since Zhenya plays in America. Let's wait, what will happen, what will be the consequences. We will not make hasty conclusions, dance on the bones, rejoice at something incomprehensible, we need to support Zhenya, ”Sport24 quotes Bryzgalov.

And Pavel Bure called on all Russian fans to count on the best, but admitted that he did not believe in what had happened.

“Let's hope that Zhenya will be able to play in the NHL in the next four years. As far as I know, while the trial is going on ... We will support our player. I don’t know all the nuances, but I can only hope for the best, ”RIA Novosti quotes Bure.