Oilers Insider updates report on Connor McDavid retaliating against NHL for refereeing
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Photo credit: Sergei Belski - USA Today Sports
Oilers insider Ryan Rishaug of TSN has responded to an earlier report that Connor McDavid will scale back media appearances in response to refereeing, stating that McDavid will take no such action.
The 2 Mutts Hockey Podcast reported yesterday that McDavid could retaliate to the NHL, and the Podcast has accurately broken Oilers news this season.
Oilers insider denies McDavid will retaliate to NHL over officiating
Rishaug shared this morning that McDavid is not expected to scale back any media availabilities, and will behave as he always has.
Some Oilers fans even suggested that McDavid should withdraw entirely from the four nations faceoff over the lack of protection he gets in the NHL.
That's an extreme measure that would hurt McDavid, who surely wants to play for the Four Nations Faceoff.
Reducing his media availability though would have impacted the NHL's marketing - and McDavid himself doesn't love media anyway.
McDavid may quietly take stand for more consistent refereeing for star players
It's the classy response for McDavid to not appeal the NHL's suspension, and conduct himself like it's business as usual. However, behind the scenes, McDavid and the Oilers can still pull their influence.
Oilers reporter Mark Spector recently shared that McDavid's hearing with Player Safety was 20 minutes long and involved him making his case to George Parros.
Analyst Bruce Curlock pointed out that Bob Stauffer's passionate opinion could be a response to the mindset of owner Daryl Katz, who also surely wants McDavid in the lineup and protected at all times.
Connor McDavid is currently on pace to draw the least amount of penalties in his career by a significant margin, and it's not just him. Penalties against star players are down across the NHL.
McDavid is right to use his influence to make a stand, but to do so quietly and professionally. Perhaps this incident and the attention drawn to it will affect some change in NHL refereeing.
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 21 | 653 ANSWERS Oilers Insider updates report on Connor McDavid retaliating against NHL for refereeing Do you think McDavid will respond to the NHL's officiating behind the scenes this year? | ||
| Yes, he'll pull strings behind the scenes | 408 | 62.5 % |
| No | 245 | 37.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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