Connor McDavid’s frustration with the NHL has reached a boiling point, and now he’s considering taking action that could shake up the league’s marketing plans.
The Edmonton Oilers superstar might start skipping league promotional events and media interviews. It’s his way of protesting what he sees as a lack of protection for star players on the ice.
This bombshell comes right after the NHL Department of Player Safety handed McDavid a multi-game suspension Monday night. Tyler Myers also got hit with a suspension in a separate incident.
The timing couldn’t be worse for the NHL. McDavid isn’t just any player – he’s the face of the league and one of hockey’s biggest draws.
“2 Mutts Hockey Podcast,” which has connections to the Oilers organization, first broke the news about McDavid’s possible protest plans. The report suggests he’s fed up with how the league handles player safety, especially for its stars.
Fans and media have been quick to back McDavid. Many are pointing fingers at the referees, arguing that proper penalties during games would prevent these situations from escalating in the first place.
The suspension lengths shocked pretty much everyone who follows hockey. Even seasoned analysts didn’t see this coming from Gary Bettman and the Department of Player Safety.
All eyes are now on McDavid and the Oilers’ front office. They might release a statement in the next couple of days, and that could give us a better idea of where things stand between one of hockey’s biggest stars and the league itself.
If McDavid follows through with his protest, it would be a massive headache for the NHL’s marketing department. They rely heavily on their superstar players for promotion and fan engagement.
The big question now is: Will other star players follow McDavid’s lead?
