Connor McDavid breaks silence after receiving 'harsh' 3-game suspension for cross-checking Connor Garland

By Ankit Kumar

Modified Jan 22, 2025 21:06 GMT

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Connor McDavid spoke to the media after receiving a three-game suspension for cross-checking Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland during a game on Saturday (Jan. 18). The incident happened late in the third period. McDavid received a match penalty for the cross-checking. Later, the NHL gave the Edmonton Oilers captain a three-game suspension without pay, resulting in a $195,312.51 forfeiture.

Talking to the media, McDavid shared that he didn’t fully agree with the suspension.

"I don't have too much to ask or too much to add. The league made their decision. You know, I don't necessarily agree with it." McDavid said, "I'm not saying that there shouldn't been any penalty or any suspension or anything like that. Maybe I just might be a little bit harsh, but you have to understand their decision and move on."

On Tuesday, NHL insider Chris Johnston reported that McDavid has chosen not to appeal the suspension.

"While there was disappointment with the three-game suspension Connor McDavid was levied by @NHLPlayerSafety, the #oilers captain has decided not to appeal that decision, per sources," Johnston said.

However, The Edmonton Oilers expressed their disappointment with the decision and showed support for McDavid. They shared a statement on Tuesday, writing,

"The Oilers organization is disappointed and we share in our fans' frustration over the three-game suspension of our captain Connor McDavid. We support him through this process and the organization and our fans look forward to having him back in the lineup vs. Seattle next week."

Connor McDavid, who has 20 goals and 45 assists in 43 games this season, has missed the game against Washington and will remain suspended for the next two games against Vancouver and Buffalo. He is expected to return on Monday against Seattle.

Oilers forward Zach Hyman talked about Connor McDavid’s absence against the Capitals

Zach Hyman discussed the Edmonton Oilers’s 2-3 loss to the Washington Capitals. The Oilers played without captain Connor McDavid. Despite outshooting the Capitals 32-14 and winning 53.3 percent of faceoffs, Edmonton struggled with accuracy.

"You're missing the best player in the world, it's a little bit different look..." Hyman to the media after the game, "We have two more games without him here, so a little bit more practice on it."

In the game, Leon Draisaitl gave the Oilers a 1-0 lead, but Tom Wilson tied it for Washington. Matt Roy put the Capitals ahead 2-1 in the second period. Pierre-Luc Dubois made it 3-1 in the third. Corey Perry’s goal made it 3-2, but the Oilers couldn’t score again. Logan Thompson made 30 saves for Washington, while Stuart Skinner had 11 saves for Edmonton.