NHL star Connor McDavid will not appeal his three-game suspension for a cross-check to the head of Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland, according to an NHL source. The suspension comes after a physical altercation between McDavid and Garland during a game on Saturday night.
McDavid’s team decided not to pursue an appeal, citing concerns that it might not have changed the outcome of his suspension. The commissioner’s final ruling has rarely been adjusted by Gary Bettman in similar cases.
Oilers center Leon Draisaitl expressed disappointment with the suspension, saying that it was “way too high” for McDavid’s actions. However, he added that the incident was a game and a passion, and McDavid didn’t mean to hurt Garland.
The suspension comes after McDavid previously received discipline for a similar incident in 2019. He has also been fined for other infractions, including elbowing an opponent in 2021.
McDavid will miss three games, forfeiting $195,312.51 in salary that goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund. His teammate Alex Ovechkin expressed some sympathy for McDavid, saying it’s a game and good for the Oilers.
Source: https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/43507669/source-oilers-connor-mcdavid-appeal-3-game-suspension