Connor McDavid served the first game of a three-game suspension Tuesday night, as the Edmonton Oilers suffered a 3-2 loss to the Washington Capitals.
Does McDavid agree with the decision to suspend him three games? Certainly not. Despite everything, the Oilers star did not appeal his suspension and he will only be available for a return to play next Monday.
“The league has made its decision, I don’t necessarily agree. I’m not saying I shouldn’t have had a penalty or suspension. It may be a little harsh, but I understand their decision and we have to move on,” admitted McDavid on Wednesday, who was visibly walking on eggshells since he was talking about the refereeing.
McDavid still agreed to return to the situation that led him to double-check Conor Garland of the Vancouver Canucks in the face.
His feelings about the situation seemed mixed. McDavid admitted his faults, while reminding that the situation could be avoided.
“I just wanted to tie the score, I didn’t really want to engage in anything with him. He held me down, but I can’t react like that. I know it, everyone knows it. This is not a reaction that makes me proud or that anyone wants to see from me. I know it. There was a lot of infractions…maybe this whole situation would have been avoided with a whistle. But I can’t have that reaction,” confided the man who amassed 20 goals and 65 points in 43 games this season.
McDavid’s answers led reporters to question him on two different topics, starting with the consistency of officials. The latter are often criticized for their different style of refereeing depending on the situation.
-McDavid took advantage of his presence in front of the media to ask for a little more consistency from the referees.
“I think every player across the NHL wants to see a game officiated the same way [du début à la fin]. A penalty in the first period is also a penalty in the third period. A penalty in October is also a penalty in April. The guys want that standard and that consistency. It’s hard to ask. Referees have a difficult job and I have the greatest respect for them and their work. »
The Oilers star also questioned the arbitration specifically towards him and the Oilers.
“Look at other sports. The quarterback is the one who causes the most penalties. For what? Because he is the one who has the ball most often. In our sport, if you have the puck often, you will cause more penalties. We often have the puck and we attack the net a lot… maybe there could be more penalties against our opponents,” McDavid said.
A reporter then reminded him that the Oilers were first in the NHL in time of possession, but 27th in power plays received. How would McDavid explain the relationship between these two variables then?
“It’s like trying to fit a square into a circle…I’m not sure why that is,” McDavid said.
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