Seemingly every athlete who gets busted for performance enhancing drugs says the same thing: "I would never knowingly put a banned substance in my body."

The case of Nate Schmidt, who was suspended 20 games for violating the NHL's PED program last week, has been no different, but it was revealed that only seven-billionths of a milligram of the substance was found in his system - equivalent to a pinch of salt in an Olympic swimming pool. During the appeal, an expert concluded that there was no evidence of intentional use.

Schmidt's teammates unsurprisingly came to his defense, but now the Vegas Golden Knights blue-liner has one of the NHL's most prominent faces in his corner: Colorado Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon.

"I do believe him," MacKinnon told The Athletic's Craig Custance. "I don't think he was f---ing injecting a needle in his ass. We're all hockey players. We all respect the game. I'm sure Nate Schmidt isn't a cheater. I believe him. I don't think he intentionally did anything."

The Athletic's Katie Strang reported that it's very possible Schmidt's positive test was a result of eating contaminated meat. In 2016, NFL player Duane Brown tested positive for Clenbuterol, but he was cleared after it was traced back to tainted beef. Boxer Canelo Alvaraez tested positive for the same substance in February and claimed it was a result of tainted meat. A hair follicle test came back negative for Clenbuterol, backing his case.

It still hasn't been revealed which substance was found in Schmidt's system, but other players around the league have taken note of the situation.

"I'd be remiss if I didn't learn from it," New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider said. "And make sure I was really cognizant of what I'm putting in my body, regardless of if I'm on the road at a restaurant or shopping at Whole Foods."

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There won't be an uproar over Josh Ho-Sang's jersey number this season.

After wearing No. 66 through his first two years with the New York Islanders, Ho-Sang has switched to No. 26 for the coming campaign.

Ho-Sang's new look comes as part of a series of organizational changes implemented by new general manager Lou Lamoriello that are meant to build team unity, including a preference for lower jersey numbers and a ban on facial hair.

"You'll definitely see the changes that have been made and the structure," Ho-Sang told Andrew Gross of Newsday. "The biggest thing visually is my face."

While No. 66 isn't honored by the Islanders, nor is it retired league-wide like Wayne Gretzky's No. 99, it's best associated with Pittsburgh Penguins legend Mario Lemieux.

Ho-Sang's decision to wear the number didn't sit well with some hockey traditionalists. In March, however, Lemieux voiced his support for Ho-Sang's number choice.

Only six players have worn No. 66 in NHL history. Ho-Sang and Calgary Flames defenseman T.J Brodie (2010-11 season) are the only players to wear it since Lemieux retired in 2006.

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If Matt Duchene is to re-sign with the Ottawa Senators, it could depend on two of his teammates landing contract extensions of their own.

Duchene can become an unrestricted free agent next offseason, but the 27-year-old is keeping an eye on forward Mark Stone's and captain Erik Karlsson's futures in Ottawa to help decide whether he'll stick with the Senators.

Related: Duchene intrigued by free-agency route after watching Tavares

"Those are the things I want to sit back and watch," Duchene told NHL.com's Dan Rosen. "The nice thing is is I'm kind of the last domino in that sense. Those are things I want to see."

Duchene, who is entering the campaign on the final season of a five-year, $30-million pact, could be among the top free agents available next summer should he choose to test the waters.

Like Duchene, both Stone and Karlsson can become unrestricted free agents in 2019. That became a reality for Stone after he agreed to a one-year deal in August ahead of an arbitration hearing, while Karlsson's future in the Canadian capital has been a subject of trade chatter dating back to last season's deadline.

"Erik, that's a little bit different situation, but with (Mark), that's a guy I'd love to move forward with as a teammate," Duchene added. "Him doing a one-year deal, it's a little bit different and makes you think a little bit, but I want to see what he's saying and we'll talk through it.

"Having talked about it, we both really like it in Ottawa and we both want it to work, so that's the biggest thing."

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Kevin Hayes is entering the season with a one-year contract extension, but the surrounding uncertainty doesn't necessarily mean his days are winding down as a member of the New York Rangers.

Many pundits saw the short-term pact as an opportunity for the rebuilding Rangers to cash in on Hayes at next year's trade deadline, but that doesn't appear to be the mindset of management.

"It is a one-year deal, but like I've told Kevin, we'd like to have him long term," Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton told Larry Brooks of the New York Post. "He's said that he wants to be here, so let's have him come to camp in great shape, be a leader, have a big season, and let's go from there. Nothing is set in stone."

Hayes, who scored a career-high 25 goals last season, hasn't been shy about his desire to remain in Manhattan.

"I'm a Boston kid, but I absolutely love New York City and I would love to be there my entire career," Hayes said in August. "At the moment, (a one-year contract) was best for both sides. We couldn't really come to a long-term agreement and a one-year deal is what came out of it.

"I'm not treating it like I'll be out of there in February or at the end of the year. Everyone keeps saying UFA at the end of the year, but that had nothing to do with the decision."

Hayes, 26, will earn $5.175 million this season, per CapFriendly. He's eligible to sign a new deal with New York as of Jan. 1, 2019.

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Jake Evans is on the mend.

The Montreal Canadiens draft pick was released from hospital Friday night and is undergoing treatment Saturday while following the team's concussion protocol, the club announced.

Evans was removed from Friday night's rookie tournament game against the Ottawa Senators on a stretcher in the third period after absorbing a high, heavy hit as he entered the offensive zone.

He lay motionless on his back before being attended to and taken off the ice by the Canadiens' medical staff.

The 22-year-old forward played four seasons at Notre Dame after Montreal selected him 207th overall in 2014.

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If Kevin Bieksa finds a new home for the upcoming season, it will reportedly be close to where his family resides in California.

The veteran defenseman has entertained a few offers this summer, but is looking for a perfect fit, as his family will be staying in the Golden State regardless of where he ends up and he wants to be relatively close to them, according to Sportsnet's Dan Murphy.

Bieksa became an unrestricted free agent after spending three seasons with the Anaheim Ducks.

The 37-year-old was limited to 59 regular-season games and one playoff contest in 2017-18, logging third-pairing minutes while chipping in eight points before making his lone postseason appearance of the campaign.

He signed a two-year, $8-million deal with the Ducks on July 1, 2015.

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