Breaking: Suspended Schmidt signs monster contract extension

Suspended defenseman Nate Schmidt has signed a HUGE six year, $35.7 million contract extension with the Vegas Golden Knights worth an average of $5.95 million per season. Schmidt’s new deal kicks in next season and runs through the 2024-25 season.

Check it out:

Schmidt, of course, is currently serving a 20 game suspension from the NHL for his use of a banned substance. News of Schmidt’s suspension absolutely shocked the NHL this past offseason and, to the day, the 27 year old blue liner maintains his innocence. Trace amounts of a performance enhancing drug was found to be in Schmidt’s system.

"It is difficult to accept this suspension," Schmidt said in a statement immediately following the judgement. "I understand that I will miss these games, but I do not agree with the suspension and I will not accept being labeled a cheater."

"It was utterly shocking to be informed that I tested positive for a microscopic amount of a tainted substance," Schmidt said. "Not only did I not intentionally take a banned substance, I could not have received any performance enhancement benefit from the trace amount that inadvertently got into my system at a level that was far too small to have any effect."

"I’m extremely proud to be a player in the NHL. I have never cut corners in order to achieve this goal," Schmidt said. "I can’t put into words how disappointed I am that I will not be on the ice at the beginning of the season to help my teammates work towards another Stanley Cup run."

Read below for the full press release concerning Schmidt’s new deal with the Golden Knights, courtesy of the team’s official website:

VEGAS (October 24, 2018) - Vegas Golden Knights General Manager George McPhee announced today, October 24, that the team has signed defenseman Nate Schmidt to a six-year contract extension through the 2024-25 season worth an average annual value of $5,950,000.

Schmidt, 27, had 36 points (5 G, 31 A) and 19 penalty minutes in 76 games during the 2017-18 regular season. He appeared in all 20 games of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, including the Stanley Cup Final, recording seven points (3 G, 4 A) with 4 penalty minutes. In his five NHL seasons, Schmidt has skated in 276 games and has recorded 79 points (13 G, 66 A) to go with 64 penalty minutes.

The St. Cloud, MN native was selected by the Vegas Golden Knights from the Washington Capitals during the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft.

Nate Schmidt , Defenseman
Birthplace: St. Cloud, MN
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 194 lbs.
Age: 27
Draft: Undrafted

Notes:

• Had 36 points (5 G, 31 A) in 76 games in 2017-18 regular season
• Collected seven points (3 G, 4 A) in 20 games of 2017-18 Stanley Cup Playoffs, including Stanley Cup Final
• Has skated in 276 games and has recorded 79 points (13 G, 66 A) to go with 64 penalty minutes in five NHL seasons
• Spent three years with the Minnesota Golden Gophers and recorded 74 points (12 G, 62 A) in 96 games