Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Nate Schmidt returns to the lineup Sunday night after serving a 20-game suspension.
The 27-year-old was banned last month for violating the NHL’s performance-enhancing drug policy, but Schmidt said he didn’t know how he tested positive and he and the team denied he was seeking a competitive advantage.
During the suspension, the team even gave Schmidt a six-year, $35.7 million extension that runs through 2024-25.
The Golden Knights play Edmonton Sunday night and are hoping Schmidt’s return stabilizes a team that has stumbled to a 8-11-1 start after going to the Stanley Cup Finals last season.
“He’s one of our best players so he’s going to make a difference all over the ice – I hope,” head coach Gerard Gallant said. according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “Always a solid guy, moves the puck, skates well. You know what kind of player he is and he’s a big part of our group, so hopefully he’s going to make a big difference.”
Schmidt had career highs with five goals and 31 assists last season.