NHL suspends Kuznetsov 3 games for inappropriate conduct

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The NHL suspended Washington Capitals forward Evgeny Kuznetsov three games for inappropriate conduct, the league announced Saturday.

Kuznetsov will not appeal the suspension.

Kuznetsov tested positive for cocaine while representing Russia at the World Championship in May. He received a four-year suspension from the IIHF on Aug. 23.

The IIHF considers cocaine a performance-enhancing drug, while the NHL does not.

Following the IIHF suspension, the NHL stated that Kuznetsov voluntarily sought help through the league's education and counseling program and would meet with commissioner Gary Bettman face to face. The meeting took place Monday and, according to The Washington Post's Isabelle Khurshudyan, likely focused on Kuznetsov's initial denial of any drug use after a video surfaced in May that showed him sitting next to lines of white powder.