Connor McDavid’s frustration with the NHL is boiling over, and it could have major consequences for hockey fans.
The Oilers superstar is reportedly thinking about pulling back from NHL promotional events and media interviews following his recent suspension. It’s a move that would be a massive blow to the league’s marketing efforts.
McDavid took the high road publicly about his suspension, showing the kind of class we’ve come to expect from the face of hockey. But behind the scenes, it’s a different story.
According to the “2 Mutts Hockey Podcast,” which has connections to the Oilers organization, McDavid is fed up with the league’s failure to protect its star players.
The timing couldn’t be worse for the NHL. Gary Bettman and the Department of Player Safety have been under fire lately for what many see as inconsistent punishment decisions.
Many hockey insiders were quick to point out that if the referees had just called a penalty in the first place, the whole suspension mess could’ve been avoided.
The Oilers organization didn’t help matters when they released an oddly-worded statement defending their captain.
But here’s what’s really interesting: McDavid isn’t just any player making these threats. He’s the most electrifying talent in hockey, and his potential step back from league events would be a huge deal for the NHL’s public image.
The question now is whether other stars might follow his lead in pushing back against the league’s handling of player safety.
