Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid will serve a three-game suspension for a cross-check to the head of Vancouver Canucks' Conor Garland, with no plans for an appeal by McDavid or the NHLPA. Despite speculation that McDavid might contest the ban, the Oilers chose not to pursue this option, recognizing the slim chance of a favorable outcome. McDavid's absence will be felt as he is currently among the league's top scorers with 65 points in 43 games, and he will miss crucial matchups against the Washington Capitals, Canucks, and Buffalo Sabres.

His suspension, which forfeits over $195,000 in salary towards the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund, has drawn criticism from teammates, including Leon Draisaitl, who expressed frustration over the league's handling of player safety and discipline. Players like Mattias Ekholm also voiced that the punishment seems excessive. The incident occurred during a heated game where both McDavid and Garland were involved in an altercation, leading to the cross-check deemed worthy of disciplinary action by the NHL's Player Safety Department.