Zenon Konopka News

Konopka has been suspended 20 games for violating the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program.

Konopka becomes just the second player in NHL history to be suspended for PEDs. Konopka, an unrestricted free agent this summer, will serve his ban at the beginning of any new contract. The substance Konopka is being suspended for was not named, but you have to think this will deeply hurt his chances at landing a deal this summer.

The Sabres have claimed center Zenon Konopka off waivers from the Minnesota Wild.

Konopka, 33, is a rare mix of grit and skill, fighting regularly and annually ranking among the NHL’s faceoff leaders. Konopka is 6-feet and 213 pounds, he has 12 goals, 29 points, 1,049 penalty minutes and a minus-45 rating in 323 NHL games. He has one goal, two points and 55 penalty minutes in 36 games this season.

Wild Coach Mike Yeo said center Zenon Konopka, who was wearing a cast on what is believed to be a broken foot, would not be out an extended period of time.

Konopka did not fly with the team to Calgary, but Yeo said there was a chance Konopka could join them on the road trip should he heal sufficiently.

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