[News] Sabres' Konopka suspended 20 games

[Phaneufenstein]

NEW YORK – Buffalo Sabres forward Zenon Konopka has been suspended for 20 games for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=7...d=nhl:topheads

[Ashasx]

[cKy]

"The player's contract expires with the conclusion of the 2013-14 season. The term of the suspension will be served at the beginning of any new contract."

Wonder what team would take a chance on him.

[Ashasx]

I'd prefer him over Westgarth for example.

If I remember correctly, he was very good at faceoffs in the past.

[Huntingwhale]

He's not doing the right 'roids. Clearly they didn't help him to his single point he got with the Sabres.

[Baxter Renegade]

Why would you even risk this? Especially considering his point production and overall team value. I don't know the exact details, but holy smokes! He'd better count his blessings if another team signs him.

[Phaneufenstein]

It's weird we didn't hear anything before the news on the NHL website.

Usually this type of stuff gets leaked no?

[MissTeeks]

Statement:

http://www.nhlpa.com/news/statement-from-zenon-konopka

"I deeply regret that I have tested positive for a prohibited substance in violation of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program. I accept full responsibility for this error. As a professional athlete I am responsible for what I put in my body, and I am to blame for this mistake.
I want to make it clear that this violation occurred because I ingested a product that can be purchased over-the-counter and which, unknown to me, contained a substance that violated the program. Unfortunately, I did not take the necessary care to ensure that the product did not contain a prohibited substance. I want to stress, however, that I did not take this substance for the purpose of enhancing my athletic performance.

[Ashasx]

He's a 4th line grinder/fighter. He isn't there to score points. His game is in the trenches.

I would argue that steroids hurt your offensive game.

[Goodlad]

Originally Posted by Baxter Renegade

Why would you even risk this? Especially considering his point production and overall team value. I don't know the exact details, but holy smokes! He'd better count his blessings if another team signs him.

He's an aging 4th line/pressbox kind of guy that is desperately trying to hang on a bit longer, and competing against much younger guys for those final roster spots. There's a huge difference between being an extra forward on an NHL roster and making an NHL salary. To be honest I'm surprised more guys in his situation don't get caught doing something like this.

[King Theo]

He is a dime a dozen player, I am sorry to say that he is now done with the NHL.
I can understand why he would do everything in his power to try to hand on for an extra year or two. It's all about the dollar.

[Vulcan]

That he got caught, says to me that he didn't know what he was taking contained a banned substance.

[FlamesAddiction]

Ya, I can't help but think that is it for him. What team is going to want to waste time and money on signing a fringe player that can't play for the first 20 games?

Unless the Sabres feel some kind of duty to help him out, I can't see anyone bothering. Too bad for him.

Does the NHL have agreements with other leagues to honour suspensions?

[Street Pharmacist]

Most of the time these substances are barely performance enhancing if at all. I would highly doubt it's steroids

[cKy]

EDIT: Whoops, didnt notice it was already asked.

[puckluck2]

His career is over. He doesn't do anything special for a team to take a risk.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

His career is over. He doesn't do anything special for a team to take a risk.

He's one of the better faceoff guys in the league. To be honest I wouldn't be surprised if the Flames took a shot at him just for faceoffs.

[dustygoon]

I did not take this substance for the purpose of enhancing my athletic performance.

What could you buy over the counter that 1) is not performance enhancing and 2) is serious enough to get suspended 20 games?

It can't be cold medications....i think Daly said that zyrtec-D is not on the banned list for league. Neither is pseudoephredine.

[theoforever]

He is 33 years old so no idea why we would want him taking a spot from a young guy.
Some of the forbidden substances are a joke. He took something available in a store, don't see this as a big deal.

[sevenarms]

Won 60.5% of 562 faceoffs last year and a competent fighter. Definitely an upgrade on Westgarth.