Evgeny Kuznetsov reveals details behind personal struggle

It appears as though the National Hockey League career of Evgeny Kuznetsov has come to a close, as his contract was recently terminated by the Carolina Hurricanes; he subsequently signed with SKA of the KHL in his native Russia. 

Prior to being traded to the Hurricanes from the Washington Capitals, Kuznetsov had been in the NHL Player Assistance Program, and he's sharing additional details behind his stay in the program. As he tells it, it was due to rheumatoid arthritis.

"I had rheumatoid arthritis," Kuznetsov said, per a DeepL translation. "I was taking pills and shots all year... I couldn't sleep for a year; I could only get two hours a night. I'm not one to complain, but I had to, and no one really believed me. (General manager) Brian MacLellan didn't even know that I had been suffering all year."

"I hope (issues don't follow me to Russia). There are different reasons as to why certain things happen in life," Kuznetsov said. "One of them is motivation and understanding what responsibility I have. One mistake can disappoint a lot of people."

"A lot of people close to me are waiting for me to shit myself. That's the most treacherous thing," Kuznetsov added. "There's motivation to prove to them I haven't lost my hockey skills... I haven't forgotten how to play hockey. That's the most important thing."

Drafted 26th overall by the Capitals in 2010, Kuznetsov would play a number of years in Washington and helped them win the franchise's 1st Stanley Cup in 2018. He finishes his NHL career with 173 goals and 402 assists. 

Recommended articles:

• Evgeny Kuznetsov signs new contract!
• Maple Leafs reportedly target controversial player on free agent market
• Evgeny Kuznetsov reconsiders leaving NHL after stunning update!
• Capitals sound off ahead of return of Evgeny Kuznetsov
• The Capitals get nearly $4 million bonus in salary cap space