The NHL has handed down a 20-game suspension to Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Caleb Jones for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substances policy, a decision that leaves both the player and the team facing tough questions midseason.
Jones, 28, will forfeit his salary during the suspension, which was officially announced Wednesday. In a statement released through the NHLPA, Jones addressed the situation directly, expressing remorse and taking accountability while also offering context for the violation.
“At the time of the test, I was receiving an exosome therapy for a documented injury from an outside provider,” Jones said. “I believe that my positive test was related to a contaminated substance associated with that treatment. While I did not use the prohibited substance intentionally or for performance enhancement, I understand that players are responsible for everything that enters their body and accept the discipline imposed by the program.”
Jones also issued an apology to the Penguins organization, his teammates, and the fans, acknowledging the impact of his absence on the team.
It’s a significant setback for a player trying to carve out a steady role in Pittsburgh’s blue line rotation. Jones has appeared in seven games for the Penguins this season, recording one assist. Over the course of his NHL career - which includes stints with Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Colorado, Chicago, and Edmonton - he’s played in 255 games, tallying 56 points and 90 penalty minutes.
The Penguins, who are battling for positioning in a tight Eastern Conference race, now have a hole to fill on their defensive depth chart. General Manager Kyle Dubas addressed the situation, noting that Jones was upfront with the team once the positive test result came in.
“Throughout the process, Caleb has been forthcoming with the organization as to how he believes the positive test occurred,” Dubas said. “Caleb takes full responsibility for his actions, despite him being unaware that what he consumed was a prohibited substance at the time. The organization appreciates his transparency regarding this matter.”
It’s a tough moment for Jones, who’s long been viewed as a depth defenseman capable of stepping in when called upon. Now, he’ll be sidelined for a quarter of the season, with the opportunity to return only after serving the full 20-game ban. For the Penguins, the focus shifts to adjusting their defensive pairings and managing the roster in his absence - while also rallying around a teammate who owned up to a costly mistake.