NHL: Edmonton Oilers at Vancouver Canucks - Source: Imagn — NHL insider shared his perspective on Connor McDavid's three game suspension (Source: Imagn)

NHL insider Chris Johnston makes his feelings known on Connor McDavid's 3-game suspension

Modified Jan 21, 2025 15:43 GMT

NHL insider Chris Johnston shared his thoughts on Connor McDavid’s three-game suspension on First Up with Korolnek & Colaiacovo podcast. McDavid, the captain of the Edmonton Oilers, was suspended for cross-checking Vancouver Canucks player Conor Garland.

The incident happened late in the third period of a game on January 18. McDavid also received a match penalty and will forfeit $195,312.51 in salary. The money will go to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Johnston compared McDavid’s punishment to a similar case involving Vancouver defenseman Tyler Myers. He felt Myers’ cross-check was worse, yet he received less severe punishment.

"To me, the Myers cross-check was more vicious." Johnston said, "I would’ve been comfortable if they gave him three games and McDavid two—or even just one. Discipline is a tough thing in the league." [13:00]

Johnston also spoke about how McDavid’s suspension affects fans. He believes missing a player like McDavid due to suspension hurts the league because fans want to watch star players.

"Ultimately, you don’t want players to be suspended." Johnston said, "Think about it—fans bought tickets to see Connor McDavid in Edmonton months ago. Now, because of this, they won’t get that chance. It hurts the product when star players aren’t in the game. But at the same time, you need disincentives to prevent players from swinging their sticks like weapons on the ice. Balancing that line isn’t easy."

Johnston was surprised Connor McDavid didn’t get more leniency given his clean record and importance to the NHL.

"It feels like the league has gone out of its way not to make examples of other players." Johnston said, "If anyone was going to get the benefit of the doubt, I thought it would be McDavid. But that wasn’t the case, and I’ll be interested to see if he addresses it when he speaks publicly."

The NHL’s Department of Player Safety called McDavid’s cross-check dangerous and deliberate.

Connor McDavid received the suspension in a 3-2 loss to Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks beat the Edmonton Oilers 3-2 on Saturday at Rogers Arena. Quinn Hughes scored twice and Danton Heinen's goal on a rebound from Tyler Myers helped the Canucks in taking a 3-0 lead.

However, Leon Draisaitl got Edmonton on the board at 4:01 of the second period with a sharp-angle shot off Thatcher Demko. He scored again on a power play to make it 3-2.

“Third game in a row we chased from behind, and that makes it a little more difficult,” coach Kris Knoblauch said.

Late in the third period, Connor McDavid and the Oilers fought hard to score but the Cancuks denied them the game-tying goal for the win.

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