In a joint statement, the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA) announced that Capitals forward Evgeny Kuznetsov has been given the green light to resume practicing with his teammates. This comes after Kuznetsov entered the league's Player Assistance Program last month.
However, Kuznetsov has not yet been cleared to return to gameplay. He is currently in the follow-up care phase of the program, and there is no set timeline for his potential return to NHL games.
The timing of Kuznetsov's return could be beneficial for the Capitals, who are currently outside the playoff picture, trailing the Philadelphia Flyers by 4 points in the NHL's Metropolitan Division. Kuznetsov has historically played a key role in the Capitals offense, although his performance has declined over the past two seasons. A refreshed Kuznetsov could provide the boost the Capitals need to climb back into playoff contention.