"Crime continues to pay in the NHL": Edmonton beat writer blasts NHL DoPS for $5000 fine on Adrian Kempe for slew-footing Connor McDavid

Edmonton Oilers beat writer David Staples had harsh words for the NHL Department of Player Safety (DoPS) following their decision to fine Los Angeles Kings forward Adrian Kempe just $5,000 for slew-footing Oilers superstar Connor McDavid.

The incident occurred during the third period in the Oilers' 1-0 win over the Kings on Monday night. With the puck along the boards, Kempe first elbowed McDavid before kicking his legs out from under him, sending the captain crashing dangerously to the ice.

McDavid was able to get back up and finish the game uninjured. No penalty was called on the play.

Staples blasted the league and DoPS on X for what he sees as a lack of discipline for a dangerous play:

"The NHL thinks a $5,000 fine is all that Kempe's slew foot on McDavid warrants for punishment. Crime continues to pay in the NHL. It's as if the league is run by the most permissive of soft-on-crime judges."

Staples argued that without a suspension, there is no deterrent for other players to avoid similar dirty plays in the future.

"The law of the jungle in the NHL is simple, the notion being that if the league does not properly punish violent players like Kempe, then crime pays. It pays to slew foot McDavid if there’s no suspension attached," Staples wrote on Edmonton Journal.

Staples argued that a $5000 fine for the slew foot only reinforces his belief that the NHL isn’t serious about addressing such actions. He pointed out that this penalty proves his point, as if it’s being overseen by the most lenient, soft-on-crime judges.

NHL analyst Mark Spector's take on the $5,000 fine on Adrian Kempe for slew-footing Connor McDavid

NHL analyst Mark Spector also weighed in on the NHL's decision to fine Adrian Kempe just $5,000 for his dangerous slew-foot of Connor McDavid.

On X, Spector argued that the fine was far too light given the potential for injury on such a play:

"It doesn't matter which uniform Kempe was wearing, or who he slew-footed. That is hockey's dirtiest play — Kempe knows it — and should be punished. If he did that at Saturday morning hockey anywhere in Canada, a bruise would ensue."

Spector believes a suspension, not just a fine, was warranted. He also predicted there could be retaliation next time the Oilers and Kings meet.