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TORONTO — Cocaine was a hot topic at NHL practices on the eve of the regular season’s opening day after a report that the drug’s use is up among players.

Deputy commissioner Bill Daly said cocaine use in the league has risen in an interview with TSN, adding that he didn’t think it was a crisis involving more than 20 players. Daly said he wasn’t sure how many players use the drug because the league doesn’t “test in a comprehensive way.”

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Reactions on the report and the possibility of more drug testing were varied. At the Montreal Canadiens’ practice in Brossard, Que., defenceman P.K. Subban said he’s not in favour of players doing drugs.

“Our message to kids is always: don’t do drugs,” Subban said. “Regardless of what the league does, that is something that is unfortunately out there, not just in hockey but in the world. I don’t know what the situation is in hockey, but cocaine’s a crazy drug.

“You learn about it in school. You see what it does to people. It’s crazy.”