The NHL has suspended Connor McDavid three games for his cross check on Connor Garland, which will particularly sting Oilers fans as the team plays the next three games at home.
The Edmonton Oilers shared the following statement. It reads as a direct message to the fans.
Edmonton fans are obviously frustrated by the play from Connor Garland that led to McDavid's suspension, and the officiating that surrounds the Oilers superstar.
Not only that, but fans buy expensive tickets to these games in hopes to see the best player in the world, Connor McDavid.
The Oilers organization is actively making this statement to fans to recognize those annoyances, apologize for the outcome, and perhaps put some pressure on the NHL to raise the standard of officiating.
It's also important to note that the statement from the Oilers organization supports McDavid - in his response on the ice and while facing the consequences with the suspension. The organization is behind him fully, of course.
Oilers analyst Bruce Curlock noted that owner Daryl Katz could be lobbying some feelings toward the NHL. With a statement like this that comes from the organization as a whole, that's essentially confirmed.
This statement is also a clear criticism to the NHL Department of Player Safety. By sharing in the frustration from fans, they're signalling they agree with the criticism surrounding the suspension.
Hopefully Oilers ownership and McDavid can make their case quietly to the NHL that the officiating so far this season has been below standard, and some changes will be considered.
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