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Leon Draisaitl Fires Back at the NHL After Connor McDavid Suspension

Originally posted on Blade of Steel | By Tom Banks | Last updated Jan 21, 2025 3:22 PM ET

The Edmonton Oilers aren't taking the Connor McDavid suspension well, and now, top star Leon Draisaitl has fired back at the NHL with a major statement.

Over the weekend, Connor McDavid stood up for himself against the Vancouver Canucks, and while that was a promising sign for many Oilers fans, he did so illegally, and now has suffered the consequences, with the league suspending him for three games.

Not everyone is happy however, as Leon Draisaitl has now spoken out about the decision from the league, as he has joined in with the media in Edmonton by criticizing the NHL, making this statement on Tuesday.

I think three games is a little too much for either side. I guess we don't overly care about having the best players in our league in the game.

While he can't be understandably upset with the decision from the NHL, this is a laughable statement, as Draisaitl is advocating for players like McDavid to get special treatment from the league, as star players should be held accountable for their actions just like anyone else.

This continues a string of players and media in Edmonton that have taken issue with the league holding Connor McDavid accountable, as he was given the same length of suspension as Tyler Myers from the Canucks, who was penalized for a cross-check to the face in the same game.

Ultimately, the league may need to do a better job of displaying their stars, as marketing has been one of the biggest issues with the league over the years, but just because a player is a star, it doesn't mean they should get special treatment, and no matter what McDavid's teammates say, he absolutely deserved a suspension for the dirty act.

This article first appeared on Blade of Steel and was syndicated with permission.

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