"He's the kind of defenseman every team in this league is looking for. He's unique in that he's become a shut down defenseman, but he also brings offense and pace." -McPhee on Schmidt

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) October 25, 2018

McPhee says the suspension had no bearing in the negotiations of this the Schmidt deal.

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) October 25, 2018

"It's easy for a player to buy in if they get what they want. They want to be here, so the bottom line is if you want to stay here let's get it done, and get it done now." -McPhee on players "buying in"

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) October 25, 2018

McPhee says getting the deals done now will make the team better in the future. Spoke about the cap going up every year and how using the space in the next few years will allow them now freedom down the road.

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) October 25, 2018

Let's talk about Nate Schmidt signing a 6-year, $5.95M per contract extension. https://t.co/hqmS1BANvJ

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) October 25, 2018

Yikes. (Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

The NHL announced this morning that Golden Knights top defenseman Nate Schmidt has been suspended for the first 20 games of the regular season for violating the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program.

Per NHL rules, Schmidt will also be forced to miss all eight of the Golden Knights preseason games. He is however permitted to participate in training camp activities with the team.

The Golden Knights wasted no time strongly condemning the league for a suspension they believe is unwarranted. This statement was released just one minute after the league announced the suspension.

We were notified that the NHL has suspended Nate Schmidt for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program. While we respect the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program and are committed to its success, we strongly disagree with the suspension. We firmly believe that the presence of a trace of the banned substance was accidental and unintentional. Based on our conversations with Nate, analysis from independent medical experts and sworn testimony from the parties involved, we believe it is clear Nate was not able to reasonably ascertain how the substance entered his body. Nate is an honest person with high moral character and great integrity. We will stand by him and support him during this time. -Golden Knights Official Statement

Schmidt released a statement of his own as well via the NHLPA website. In it, he explains that he has already appealed the suspension.

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