Elliotte Friedman sounds the alarm on Oilers possibly being officiated differently following aftermath of Connor McDavid's suspension

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman raised concerns about possible changes in officiating for the Edmonton Oilers after Connor McDavid’s suspension. In his "32 Thoughts" column, Friedman explained that teams are worried about how games will now be called. An NHL executive told him that both the Oilers and their opponents will be on high alert.

The executive questioned whether the Oilers might receive more power plays or face bias from officials. He pointed to past incidents, like Calgary’s situation in 2016 after Dennis Wideman high-sticked a linesman. Following that event, the Flames’ penalty count jumped from 30th to fourth in the league. This example has created paranoia about how officiating might change after major incidents.

"I was talking with another executive who said the Oilers and their opponents will be on high alert for how games are called in the aftermath. Do the Oilers get more power plays? Is there any bias against them? Teams worry about overcompensation," Friedman said.

The Oilers already struggle to draw penalties, despite being an offensively strong team. Any changes in officiating could affect their performance. Teams will be watching closely to see if the suspension leads to shifts in how games are called.

Connor McDavid acknowledges tough jobs in hockey after suspension incident

Connor McDavid spoke to the media after his three-game suspension for cross-checking Conor Garland. He admitted his reaction was wrong and said he regrets it. McDavid also mentioned the referees’ tough job but called for more consistent penalty calls across all games.

“Obviously, I knew where we were at the time of the game and what we were trying to do," McDavid said via NHL.com. "The longer it goes, the more you're thinking there's going to be something. But I understand that the refs have a hard job. With that being said, my job's hard too. Everyone's got a hard job. That's why we're in this business.”

During his suspension, McDavid spent extra time practicing on the ice to stay sharp. He even worked on defensive drills. He said he wants to be ready to help the team when he returns.

“I want to support the team. I want to be here for the team. I want to be here to get myself ready to roll when it’s time. I’ll have six games before the break, and we want to go into the break on a high note,” McDavid added.

McDavid also noted the team’s struggles with drawing penalties, despite their offensive efforts and frequent puck possession. He said the Oilers attack the net a lot but still don’t get many power plays.

Connor McDavid believes a penalty should be the same in all situations, whether in October or April or early or late in a game. Despite frustrations, McDavid said he’s focused on supporting his teammates and preparing for his return next week.