Connor McDavid calls on NHL to audit its suspension process

connor mcdavid The NHL is being asked to examine how it is administering supplemental discipline.

edmonton oilers The captain on Sunday spoke about the league’s suspension process and how the Department of Player Safety (DOPS) is reaching its conclusions. His comments come in the wake of the controversy over DOPS’s decision to suspend him last week anaheim ducks guard Radko Gudas Only five games left for Maple Leafs forward to suffer season-ending injury auston matthews.

That punishment was criticized as being too light given Gudas’s history – he had already been suspended four times – and also for the amount of injury Matthews suffered as a result of Gudas’ knee strike.

According to TSN, McDavid said, “If everyone complains about it every time there’s a suspension, why don’t we take a look at the process.” “[And] Find out if there’s a better way to make sure both parties are happy because it seems like there’s a lot of frustration.”

This much was clear even before DoPS made their decision by offering Gudas a phone hearing, which made a five-game ban the maximum allowable; Anything more than that requires a personal meeting. The play in question was considered important enough by critics to be later confirmed.

The incident occurred during Thursday’s game between the Leafs and Ducks, when late in the second period, Gudas intentionally collided with Matthews, sending the Toronto captain to the ice writhing in pain. Matthews was taken back to the dressing room and did not return. Gudas was assessed a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct.

The Leafs announced on Friday that Matthews suffered a Grade 3 MCL tear and quad contusion as a result of the hit, essentially ending his season with Toronto projected to miss the playoffs.

Matthews’ agent Judd Moldaver released a statement to ESPN on Friday night condemning the NHL’s findings.

Moldaver wrote, “Given the obvious seriousness of the game, I am extremely disappointed and shocked that the league would allow such a decision. A hearing over a phone and five games is ridiculous and absurd.” “Although our CBA has a hearing process in place, taking no further discipline is a reckless and ridiculous position for player safety. This decision results in a loss of confidence in the disciplinary process for all players. Players and fans deserve better. The Department of Player Safety should be suspended.”

McDavid now joins the chorus of voices who feel further investigation of the NHL’s disciplinary system is warranted. Toronto coach Craig Berube – who originally called the Gudas hit a “dirty play” – felt Dops missed being so generous.

“Looking at it, we’ve lost our guy, our captain for the year,” Berube said. “I don’t know, it doesn’t seem like enough to me. That guy’s doing it.” [Gudas] is a repeat offender, [and] “It feels like it’s not enough.”

Matthews’ teammate and frequent linemate Matthew Neese It also concluded that Gudas’s punishment did not fit the crime.

“I think the league could have done a little better by looking at our best player, our captain [won’t] Stay with us for the rest of the year,” Nease said. “It’s a big loss [and] I’d love to see a little more.”

Toronto and Anaheim will face off again on March 30.