Connor McDavid Speaks To The Media For The First Time Since His Suspension

On Monday, the NHL's Department of Player Safety issued Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid a three-game suspension for cross-checking Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland in the head.

At first blush, the punishment seemed on par with Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers receiving the same suspension for a similar infraction.

In response, Sportsnet's Marc Spector went to bat for McDavid, saying he was "taking justice into his own hands" while even quoting Corey Perry to back up his argument.

Oilers commentator Bob Stauffer blamed the NHL for not protecting its stars, questionably using 5'7" Garland as an example of said threat, and attacked the Canucks for their lack of Stanley Cups and riots.

Of course, the Canucks had nothing to do with McDavid's suspension. Stauffer also indicated that McDavid should dial it back a notch when it came to promoting the league, which many Oilers fans seemed to be in agreement with.

A few even wanted McDavid to skip the upcoming Four Nations as some sort of protest, which TSN's Ryan Rishaug promptly indicated wasn't going to happen.

By Wednesday, McDavid himself spoke to the media and although he admits the three-game suspension was excessive, he's ready to move on.

Unfortunately for McDavid, he will miss Thursday's rematch against the Canucks, which is a game that many fans had really been looking forward to.

The Oilers will need to regoup and pull together if they are to find success during McDavid's absence, as the team has already dropped the first game without him 3-2 to the league leading Washington Capitals.