6 years agoVegas Golden Knights defenseman Nate Schmidt was handed a 20-game suspension for violating the NHL's Performance Enhancing Substances Program. A microscopic amount of a banned substance was found in his system, and he vehemently denies that he intentionally took any performance enhancers. Schmidt will still be able to attend training camp with the team, but he will have to serve the 20 game suspension at the start of the regular season. The 27-year-old put up five goals, 31 assists, a +19 rating, 16 PIMS, and 11 PPP during the 2017-18 season. He projected to be one of the top defenders on Vegas. This massive hole on the blueline adds extra value to youngster Shea Theodore's stock as the Golden Knights will look to him to eat up the extra minutes. Schmidt can be avoided on draft day, whereas Theodore can be drafted as a solid fantasy depth defenseman, although he still needs to sign a contract for the upcoming season.--Raymond Harrison - RotoBaller
Source: CBC Sports