An Official’s Take – McDavid’s hit on Kempe

December 6, 2021 by Brett Luchanski

Well, here we are. I’m writing an article about the NHL’s dirtiest player – Connor McDavid. In the Edmonton Oilers game against the Los Angeles Kings on Monday, McDavid’s bid for the Lady Byng Trophy was shattered, as he received a five-minute major for boarding and a game misconduct.

Though the play didn’t look that bad at first glance, McDavid does hit Adrian Kempe into the boards “violently” causing his head to bounce off the glass. 

Was it a penalty? Yes. Was it worth a major? That’s up for debate, but I’d say it was. The fact that Kempe’s head smashed off the glass and he was bleeding most likely factored into the officials decision to assess the major penalty. NHL officials now have the opportunity to review any majors called on the ice by video. They looked at it and decided it was still worthy of a major and early shower for McDavid.

Now, I don’t think most fans have a problem with that, except for the fact that McDavid (and other star players around the league) have taken far worse and dangerous hits in the recent past and not even a minor penalty was called. Look to a few nights ago when McDavid was pushed from behind head first into the goal post after he scored. Or in 2018-19, when he got pushed from four feet out from the boards at full speed by Hampus Lindholm.

The fact that these plays go unpenalized leads to the rabble rousing from fans. Rightly so. In my opinion the NHL needs to take a stronger stance against these hits from behind. The play from McDavid should be penalized as a major penalty. So, should all the other dangerous hits from behind. Enough copping out and calling boarding minors or nothing at all. Eventually someone is going to be leaving on a stretcher, never to play again. 

Concussion Protocol? 

What I’m wondering is what is going on with the NHL’s concussion protocol and in game “spotter”. If the McDavid hit was so bad to bounce Kempe’s head off the glass and caused him to bleed how was he not pulled from the game to be examined? What are we doing here? Instead Kempe is out there on the extended five-minute power-play, where he scored a goal. If the hit was worth a major then it definitely was worth having a guy’s brain looked at before he returns to the game, no? How many players have been pulled to go into concussion protocol during a game in the last few years? I am hard pressed to find even one. It seems like the NHL is missing the mark on that one big time. 

No supplemental discipline 

The NHL announced today that McDavid won’t face any further discipline for his actions. I’m not surprised by that as receiving a major and game ejection in game carries a fair amount of weight with player safety. It was a bit concerning for the Oilers as McDavid has been suspended a couple times in the recent past (that’s why he’s the dirtiest player in the league), but “wise man” George Parros deemed the case closed. 

What did you think? Was McDavid’s hit worth a major penalty? Should he have been suspended? Leave a comment or find me on Twitter at @BLuchanski.