MacKinnon strongly backs Schmidt following PED suspension

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."