Connor McDavid has called for the NHL to rethink its approach to supplementary discipline, highlighting growing frustration among players over how suspensions are currently handled.
"The NHL’s Department of Player Safety has done their best, but it's a tough job," McDavid said in Edmonton on Sunday. "Still, it's worth reviewing the process.
If every suspension leads to complaints, maybe it's time to find a solution that satisfies everyone. There's a lot of frustration out there."
McDavid's comments come after Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas received a five-game suspension for a knee-on-knee hit that ended Auston Matthews’ season. The Toronto Maple Leafs were incensed, especially since Matthews suffered a Grade 3 MCL tear. Agent Judd Moldaver, representing Matthews and McDavid, publicly criticized the decision.
Discipline in the NHL is a joint effort between the league and the NHL Players’ Association, making McDavid's input particularly noteworthy. Suspensions are currently determined by George Parros, a former NHL enforcer, who has led the player safety department since 2017. The NHLPA represents both the offending and injured players during hearings, and third-party involvement only occurs for suspensions of six games or more, where an appeal to a neutral arbitrator is possible.
The Gudas incident has sparked debate due to his history of suspensions, now totaling 26 games, and the clear intent behind his knee-first hit. Matthews’ injury means he’ll miss the last 16 games of the regular season, while Gudas will return just in time for the Ducks' playoff push.
"In light of the severity of the play, I am shocked by the league's ruling," Moldaver told The Athletic. "A phone hearing and five games is laughable.
This undermines confidence in the disciplinary process. Players and fans deserve better."
McDavid didn't suggest specific changes but acknowledged the complexity of the issue. When asked about team owners' lack of incentive to see players serve lengthy suspensions, he was clear about the players' perspective.
"I'm not an owner or a GM, but as a player, I can say suspensions often lead to frustration. We need a process that works for everyone," McDavid stated.
This call for change from one of the game's top players underscores the need for a system that balances fairness and accountability, ensuring the safety and integrity of the sport.