Penguins Defenseman Caleb Jones Suspended 20 Games for PED Violation
The NHL has handed down a 20-game suspension to Penguins defenseman Caleb Jones for violating the league’s Performance Enhancing Substances Program. As part of the disciplinary action, Jones will also enter the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program for evaluation and potential treatment.
This is a significant setback for a player who was already battling his way back from injury. Jones, 28, hasn’t seen NHL ice time since late October due to a lower-body injury. He was sent to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on a conditioning stint last month, but his return lasted just one game-on January 14-before he suffered an upper-body injury that’s kept him out since.
Penguins GM Kyle Dubas addressed the situation, noting that Jones has been transparent with the team throughout the process.
“Caleb takes full responsibility for his actions, despite him being unaware that what he consumed was a prohibited substance at the time,” Dubas said.
Jones had been trying to re-establish himself in the NHL after spending most of last season in the AHL with the Kings’ organization, where he appeared in just six games for Los Angeles. Pittsburgh gave him a fresh opportunity with a two-year, $1.8 million deal, and he opened the season paired with rookie Harrison Brunicke. In his seven games with the Penguins, Jones recorded one assist and posted a +1 rating before injuries derailed his campaign.
But even before the suspension, Jones’ path back to the NHL lineup was getting narrower. The Penguins’ recent acquisition of Brett Kulak in the Tristan Jarry-Stuart Skinner trade added another left-shot defenseman to the mix, and Kulak has settled in nicely alongside veteran Kris Letang. Ryan Shea has also been a steady presence on the third pairing, and the team added even more left-side depth last month with Ilya Solovyov.
So where does that leave Jones? Realistically, on the outside looking in.
Even once he serves his suspension and gets healthy, there may not be a roster spot waiting for him in Pittsburgh. The most likely scenario is that he clears waivers and finishes the season in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
For now, the focus turns to Jones’ recovery-both physically and personally. There’s still time for him to write a different chapter in his career, but it’s clear that the road back to the NHL just got a lot steeper.