Evgeny Kuznetsov breaks his silence on his struggles: "No one believed me"

Evgeny Kuznetsov had been one of the most reliable players for the Washington Capitals in the last decade. In his 11 years playing for the team, he has recorded 7 regular seasons with at least 50 total points. However, his ability seemed to fade away last season, leading to his entry into the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. Yet, on the same day he was cleared, his team suspiciously placed him on waivers, leaving him open for other teams.

Shortly after becoming available, the Carolina Hurricanes picked Kuznetsov up in time for a match against the New Jersey Devils. This was to be his first NHL game for over a month.

Unfortunately, he could not get back to his star status by the end of the season, only recording 7 points over his 20 games with the team.

However, it turned out that Kuznetsov was not getting the care or respect he deserved during his medical emergency. The veteran NHL forward had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a debilitating disease that impacts joint health and stability.

Despite his obvious pain, no one around him believed him, preventing him from getting access to the required quality of care.

Luckily, the 32-year-old forward is doing much better and is set to play again later this year. He has officially signed a four-year contract with SKA Ice Hockey Club in the KHL. Hopefully, Kuznetsov gets better treatment in St. Petersburg, and the NHL learns from their egregious mistakes.