In the American League, forward Evgeny Kuznetsov will continue his 2023-2024 season.
No team in the National Hockey League (NHL) has claimed the Russian. The Washington Capitals made the announcement on Sunday, a day after placing the player's name on waivers.
The club made the decision hours after the NHL and players' association indicated that Kuznetsov could resume training with the team in the American capital.
The 31-year-old striker has had to take a break since joining the player support program at the beginning of February.
This is not the first time that the 31-year-old ice hockey player has used this program. In 2019, he joined after failing a cocaine drug test during the Ice Hockey World Cup. He was subsequently banned from the Russian team for four years.
“Most importantly, this is a fresh start for Kuzy,” general manager Brian MacLellan said Saturday, as Monumental Sports Network reported his comments. He wanted a change in the environment and this could set things in motion to make that happen.”
This change of environment will therefore take place with the Hershey Bears, the Capitals' farm club in the development circle.
Kuznetsov had a difficult season before applying for the player assistance program. The Caps' first-round pick (26th overall) in the 2010 draft collected 17 points in 43 games, including six goals. He also has a differential of -11.
Additionally, Kuznetsov will set an American League record in his first game for the Bears. With annual earnings of $7.8 million, he becomes the highest-paid player in the circuit's history.