Russian NHL star supports Kuznetsov despite cocaine bust!

As you all know by now, Washington Capitals forward Evgeny Kuznetsov tested positive for cocaine at the World championship and has been banned from the Russia team for four years.

However, one of his Russian teammate, star goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, made it clear on Wednesday he still supports his countryman. 

On his personal Instagram page, the new Florida Panthers netminder took the time to send out his love and support to Kuznetsov, who failed a doping test at the IIHF World Championship in Slovakia after a sample was taken on May 26, the day the Russians defeated the Czech Republic to take bronze.

“Stay strong, man, make right decisions and keep moving forward,” wrote Bobrovsky along with a picture of Kuznetsov and the Stanley Cup. 

Kuznetsov is not expected to get banned in the NHL, seeing that the suspension does not stop him from playing in the league, which classifies cocaine as a drug of abuse rather than a performance-enhancing doping product.

His Washington Capitals teammate Tom Wilson also showed his support to Kuznetsov earlier this week, speaking out during the BioSteel Camp in Toronto.

We’re going to have his back,” Wilson told Sportsnet at BioSteel Camp in Toronto Tuesday.

“Hopefully he can get through it. It’s never something you like to see in the media, but I’m sure he’ll learn. He’ll grow as a person and a player. We’re focused on Capitals. Whatever happens with the international stuff, it’s none of our business.

“I know he takes a lot of pride in playing for his country.”

Wilson has been the first Caps’ teammate to support Kuznetsov in this situation. Now, Bobrovsky is making sure to speak out as a member of the Russian national team. We wonder if he will soon hear from Caps captain Alex Ovechkin...

Despite this crazy situation, Kuznetsov still has the support of his peers…