Oilers' Connor McDavid on 3-game suspension: 'I don't necessarily agree with it'

Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid thinks his three-game suspension for cross-checking Vancouver Canucks' forward Conor Garland in the head was too harsh.

McDavid met with the media on Wednesday and opened up about the incident, and his thoughts on the NHL's Department of Player Safety's ruling. "I don't necessarily agree with it," the Edmonton Oilers superstar told the media, including Sportsnet, on Wednesday. "I'm not saying there shouldn't have been any penalty or any suspension, or anything like that. Might be a little bit harsh, but I understand their decision and we move on."

"I understand that the refs have a hard job but, that being said, my job's hard too," McDavid added. "Everyone's got a hard job. That's why we're in this business."

McDavid admitted he didn't realize Garland didn't receive a penalty on the play and was baffled by the non-call. "I did not, I had my head between my legs, so I didn't see what the refs' reaction was," he said.

McDavid joked that being suspended was boring, and he doesn't enjoy sitting around and watching hockey. He also joked that even with a three-game suspension, it wasn't like he was going to find a vacation rental in Cabo, and enjoy some downtime. "I love to play. What am going to do? I'd rather be on the ice than sitting at home," McDavid said. "It's not like I can get a week away in Cabo. I'm here, I want to support the team ... I want to be here to get myself ready to roll when it is time (to return). We'll have six games before the break, and we want to go into the break on a high note," he continued. "I always feel that's important ... That's my main focus here."

The Oilers are 29-15-3 on the season, and have lost two straight games.

"Maybe the whole thing is avoided with a blow of the whistle."

Connor McDavid comments on the three-game suspension the NHL handed him for a cross-check on Conor Garland. pic.twitter.com/esEqZ5EtfO
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 22, 2025