Wilson: Capitals have Kuznetsov's back despite IIHF ban

Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson said his club will undoubtedly support Evgeny Kuznetsov in light of the Russian's four-year IIHF suspension for testing positive for cocaine.

"We're going to have his back," Wilson told Sportsnet's Luke Fox at BioSteel Camp on 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 (the) 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."

Kuznetsov failed a doping test at the World Championship in May. He isn't facing an NHL suspension since the league doesn't view cocaine as a performance-enhancing substance. Instead, he'll be enrolled in the NHL/NHLPA's substance-abuse education and counseling program. He'll meet with commissioner Gary Bettman at a later date.

The 27-year-old has won world junior and World Championship gold with Russia over his international career, but his recent ban would prevent him from suiting up at the 2022 Olympics should NHLers participate.

Kuznetsov registered 21 goals and 51 assists in 76 games for the Caps last season.

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