An incident involving Washington’s Evgeny Kuznetsov is being looked into.
A video surfaced Monday depicting the Capitals star next to two lines of white powder in what appears to be a hotel room.
“Yes, I saw this video appear on the network. I do not always have something to do with what is happening next to me,” Kuznetsov told Sport Express. “I have never used drugs and I am not going to get involved in this. If I have questions, I am ready to undergo a medical examination at any time.”
According to Kuznetsov, the incident took place in the summer of 2018 after Washington won the Stanley Cup. He said he arrived on the scene, saw unfamiliar faces and “strange substances” and proceeded to leave as soon as possible.
The Capitals later released a statement regarding the video.
“We are aware of the video that surfaced on social media of Evgeny Kuznetsov,” the statement read. “We are currently in the process of gathering facts and will have no further comment at this time.”
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly also addressed the incident.
“I hesitate to use the term investigation because it’s a fairly ambiguous word. Obviously, we have to understand the facts and circumstances. I wouldn’t call it a formal investigation,” Daly said Monday.
“There are a lot of questions I would have about the situation. Obviously, he’s acknowledged being in the room with whatever it is. But I don’t know whatever it is ‘is,’ and he claims not to have used whatever it is. So on that basis, I’m not going to convict him of anything.”
Kuznetsov recorded one goal and two assists in the Capitals’ first-round playoff series against the Hurricanes this year. Washington entered the postseason as the defending champions, but lost to Carolina in five games.