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Leon Draisaitl speaks on Connor McDavid suspension, rips NHL refereeing
Photo credit: Edmonton Oilers Raw
Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl met with the media for the first time since news of McDavid's suspension broke, and the superstar gave a classic sassy comment on the state of NHL refereeing.
Earlier this morning, news broke that McDavid and the Oilers will not appeal Player Safety's suspension, meaning the captain will miss three games.
Leon Draisaitl Speaks Out on Connor McDavid Suspension
While speaking to the media today, Draisaitl admitted that he believed the three game suspension to be too harsh for both McDavid and Myers - but also thew a shot at the NHL for keeping McDavid out of games.
I think three games is a little much, for either side. I guess we don't overly care about having our best players in the league in the game.
- Leon Draisaitl
- Leon Draisaitl
Draisaitl also called out the total lack of penalty call from the referees that could've prevented the entire meltdown from both teams.
Sure, it's an emotional part of the game between rival teams, but McDavid wouldn't have cross checked Garland if he wasn't mobbed on the play.
That can get avoided. It doesn't need to get to whatever happened at the end of the game. That's to me, clearly a penalty. Connor doesn't want to tangle with Garland in that situation. There's 12 seconds left, like, we're looking to score.
The Oilers superstar is entirely right on every account, from the suspension being too long to the situation being avoidable with a penalty called.
Specifically on the suspension length, Draisaitl is right to suggest 3 games is too long for either player. Auston Matthews' 2 game suspension, and Carson Soucy's 1 game suspension serve as precedent for Player Safety - so their decision on three games is out of left field.
Hopefully at least this incident draws some attention to the inconsistencies and imbalance from NHL officiating and Player Safety this season. Hockey fans and players all deserve better.
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