Connor McDavid Admits Frustration With NHL Rulings After Auston Matthews News

“I think the (NHL’s Department of Player Safety) has done their best. It’s not an easy thing to do,” McDavid said. “You know, with that being said, I think that there is reason to take a look at how the whole process works. If every time there’s a suspension, everybody complains about it, well, why don’t we take a look at the process and figure out if there’s a better way to make sure both parties are happy? Because it seems like there’s a lot of frustration there.”

McDavid emphasized that his perspective reflects what many players feel when suspensions are announced, but he stopped short of suggesting any particular changes.

“I can’t speak to (what changes to make). I’m not an owner, I’m not a GM. I’m a player, and I can say that from the player perspective, I think every time there is a suspension — most times there’s a suspension — there is a lot of frustration from the player side,” McDavid said. “So why don’t we take a look at the process and figure out a way that works for everybody?”

Under the current structure, discipline is collectively bargained between the NHL and the NHL Players’ Association.

Hearings include league officials, the player, team representatives and union representation. Suspensions longer than six games allow for appeal to a neutral arbitrator.

Meanwhile, for hearings held by phone instead of in person, suspensions (such as the one received by Gudas) are limited to a maximum of five games.