Suspended Knight Nate Schmidt to practice in Austria — as a Capital

By Ben Gotz

Las Vegas Review-Journal

6 years ago

Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant, left, gives instruction to his players during practice on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018, at City National Arena, in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto

Golden Knights William Karlsson, right, works through a drill during practice on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018, at City National Arena, in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto

Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, right, makes a save against Golden Knights left wing Erik Haula, middle, during practice on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018, at City National Arena, in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto

Golden Knights Ryan Reaves takes a breather during practice on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018, at City National Arena, in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto

Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, right, makes a save against center Paul Stastny during practice on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018, at City National Arena, in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto

Summer Blandino, middle, and Daria Burns cheer for the Golden Knights during practice on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018, at City National Arena, in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto

Golden Knights Jonathan Marchessault runs through drills during practice on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018, at City National Arena, in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto

Carson Wirick, 2, cheers for the Golden Knights during practice on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018, at City National Arena, in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto

Golden Knights goaltender Malcolm Subban, left, watches a puck fly over his glove during practice on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018, at City National Arena, in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto

Golden Knights goaltender Malcolm Subban, left, makes a save against Jonathan Marchessault during practice on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018, at City National Arena, in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto

Golden Knights Ryan Reaves, middle, jokes around with teammates during practice on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018, at City National Arena, in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto

Golden Knights Deryk Engelland shares a laugh with teammates during practice on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018, at City National Arena, in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto

Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, middle, watches teammates during practice on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018, at City National Arena, in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto

Golden Knights Max Pacioretty, left, works through a drill during practice on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018, at City National Arena, in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto

Golden Knights Shea Theodore makes a pass during practice on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018, at City National Arena, in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto

After a one-year hiatus, Nate Schmidt is going to don a Capitals’ sweater again.

He’ll just have to travel almost 6,000 miles to do so.

The Golden Knights defenseman, who is suspended the first 20 games of the season for a violation of the league substance abuse program, left Wednesday for Vienna, Austria.

The ex-Washington Capital will practice with the Vienna Capitals, an Austrian professional team, during his suspension and return before becoming eligible to play on Nov. 18 at Edmonton. Schmidt will not play in any games with the Capitals.

“We tried to put our heads together with Nate to see if there was a place to go to and there were some options and this one seemed to work for Nate,” general manager George McPhee said. “They thought having an NHL player who can skate as well as Nate does could really elevate the pace of their practices. So if he goes over there and works his tail off it’ll be real good for him and good for them.”

Eakin/Tuch updates

McPhee said forwards Cody Eakin and Alex Tuch, who are both on injured reserve with lower-body injuries, are “more week to week than day to day.”

The Knights have an open roster spot with both sidelined, but McPhee said he doesn’t plan to call anyone up right now. Tuch has not practiced the past two days while Eakin has skated with a non-contact jersey.

“I feel good. Just working on getting my legs back. Just a day to day kind of thing,” Eakin said. “I’ve got something I’m shooting for (timeline-wise) but it’s just one of those things where you take it as it comes and go from there.”

Bischoff wins job

McPhee confirmed that defenseman prospect Jake Bischoff will start the season with the Knights after scoring four points in four preseason games.

The 24-year-old took advantage of the absence of Schmidt and won a job.

“He’s had a very good camp and it’s a nice surprise,” McPhee said. “We liked him a lot last year. He’s a player that you have to watch a lot to really appreciate.”

Blue line babies

Defenseman Jonathan Merrill was back at practice after taking a personal day Tuesday for the birth of his daughter, Jolie.

He was paired with defenseman Nick Holden, whose wife also gave birth during camp.

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Contact Ben Gotz at bgotz@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BenSGotz on Twitter.