McDavid Makes Suspension Appeal Choice, Fallout Coming?

Connor McDavid’s three-game suspension by the NHL for cross-checking Conor Garland has gotten the hockey world talking. More than a few well-respected scribes and analysts, many with real clout, are voicing their opinions, and the reaction is fascinating. Some wonder if there will be ripple effects from the ruling by the NHL Department of Player Safety, not just from the Edmonton Oilers and McDavid, but from the league, which is being called out for not protecting its star players.

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According to Terry Jones of the Edmonton Journal, the backlash surrounding the decision may lead to serious discussions, especially if McDavid is unhappy with the decision.

No one is expecting McDavid to appeal the ruling, but he might decide that the many favors he does for the league by trying to help promote the game need to be placed on the back burner. That could mean declining appearances, pulling out of major events, or not offering to help when the NHL comes calling to revamp the All-Star format, which they did this past season.

McDavid may not do any of these things. Ryan Rishaug notes, “Given the history of the league backing the DOPS decisions, it sounds like there will not be an appeal coming on the McDavid suspension.” So too, perhaps McDavid has more integrity than that. But, the NHL has to wonder if and when they push too far and what the repercussions will be.

Is The NHL In for a Wake-Up Call?

The three-game suspension has drawn sharp criticism from fans. Many of them are looking at similar players with lesser suspensions and wondering what the NHL was thinking here. Jones tweeted:

“McDavid suspension could a be a good thing. Massive reaction around the sports world paints the NHL as a joke. Owners gotta be pissed. Firings. Officiating expose. Protecting stars. Possible positive fallout. That stat of No. 97 being the 197th placed player in drawing penalties says it all.”

The 197th comment is in reference to where McDavid sits in the NHL for players for penalties drawn/per 60. It’s laughable, and while McDavid has to know he won’t get every call, he knows he’s being targeted, and he’s not getting a lot of the calls he should.

Meanwhile, other analysts are commenting on how other sports leagues have it right, and the NHL is way behind. The NFL’s mandate to protect players like Patrick Mahomes and the NBA’s decision to ensure players like LeBron James get watched closely have been frequently cited as examples of what the NHL should be following. They argue, what is the NHL without players like McDavid?

There Has to Be a Balance

Few, if anyone, is suggesting officials look the other way when McDavid or players like Auston Matthews, Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, or others break the rules. What these people seem to be suggesting is that the NHL not allow the rest of the league to specifically target the best players in the game and then ask them not to react.

McDavid’s crosscheck was wrong, but it was out of pure frustration. If he’s not being pinned down, he doesn’t do it. And, for fans who say McDavid is dirty, there is admittedly a bit of feistiness in his game. Does he chicken-wing another player if he’s not always being run? Does he get his stick high on a player like Filip Hronek if, just a game or two before that, he’s not slew-footed and tackled by a player from another team? It’s a fair question the NHL should ask. One could argue that McDavid’s nasty streak is a direct result of his having a bullseye on his back every game and not getting calls in almost every game he plays.

Right or wrong, there’s a reason so many have sided with the superstar and claimed it’s about time he starts taking matters into his own hands.

Is There A Silver Lining to the McDavid Suspension?

While the suspension has stirred controversy, it’s not all bad. First, the Oilers will be getting a rested and motivated McDavid back in a week. He logs heavy minutes, and the time away will let him recharge and come back with a vengeance.

Second, the league might have little choice but to look more closely at the way their stars are treated, considering how loudly people are reacting to news of his suspension.

The NHL is known to be stubborn. Perhaps nothing comes of this. But, as one of the most marketable players in hockey, McDavid’s being in the games boosts ticket sales and television ratings. McDavid sitting is bad for the league. McDavid’s involvement in reshaping how the NHL markets some of its biggest events is good for hockey. His choosing to sit it out if he’s got an axe to the grind is not.

f McDavid’s suspension leads to systemic changes in officiating or player safety policies, it could mark a turning point that ultimately helps everyone. If nothing changes, there will be real questions about how much the NHL wants to protect their top assets and the main reasons fans tune in.

Next: Oilers Veteran Claims NHL Dropped Ball with McDavid Call