Leon Draisaitl takes a veiled dig at NHL officiating over Connor McDavid's 3-game suspension  

By Jackson Weber

Modified Jan 21, 2025 19:20 GMT

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Leon Draisaitl and the Edmonton Oilers will be without the other half of their dynamic duo, Connor McDavid, for the next three games. McDavid was handed a suspension on Monday for a cross-check to the head of Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland during the Oilers' 3-2 loss on Saturday.

The play has sparked plenty of debate around the hockey world. Garland appeared to have initiated the altercation by interfering with McDavid for almost 15 seconds. McDavid then cross-checked him on the side of the head.

The Oilers and their fans are not happy about the punishment their captain received.

In his first time speaking since the news broke, Draisaitl was asked in his pregame media availability what his reaction was to the suspension of his running mate.

"I mean, I don't have much to say toward it," Draisaitl said on Tuesday. "Certainly, (I) think three games is a little too much for either side, but yeah, I guess we don't overly care about having our best players in the league, in the game, so I'll leave it at that."

Draisaitl's comments seemed like a subtle shot at the Department of Player Safety and NHL officiating.

Leon Draisaitl will once again look to step up in Connor McDavid's absence

Leon Draisaitl has been known to step up his game when Connor McDavid is out of the lineup. He had to do so earlier this season when McDavid missed three games due to an ankle injury in November.

Draisaitl took charge in the captain's absence, racking up six points (three goals, three assists), leading the Oilers to a 2-1-0 record. His ability to elevate his game when McDavid is out is similar to Evgeni Malkin winning the Hart Trophy when Sidney Crosby was out of action during the 2011-12 season.

Draisaitl is having an MVP-worthy campaign. He's up to 69 points (33 goals, 36 assists) in just 46 games. He leads the NHL in goals and is second in the league behind only Nathan MacKinnon (74 points) in points.

The Oilers will look for Draisaitl to take the reigns in the next three games beginning on Tuesday when they host the Washington Capitals. The puck drops at 9 p.m. EST at Rogers Place.