Connor McDavid calls out Department of Player Safety, urges Gary Bettman to make changes
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Tyler Ball
Mar 15, 2026 (6:14 PM)
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Photo credit: Screenshot
This afternoon Connor McDavid spoke to the media and called for Gary Bettman to make changes to the NHL's Department of Player Safety.
Earlier this week, Radko Gudas ended Auston Matthews' season with a brutal knee-on-knee hit which ended with him receiving a 5 game suspension.
After the NHL's Department of Player Safety suspended Gudas for 5 games many fans were unhappy as they believe he should've been given a more severe punishment.
Instead, the Department of Player Safety led by George Parros and Gary Bettman gave him a lighter punishment even with Gudas' history of questionable and sometimes outright illegal play.
Now, days after the incident occurred Oilers' captain Connor McDavid spoke to the media and called for major changes at the highest levels when it comes to discipline.
Connor McDavid calls for Gary Bettman to make major changes to the NHL's Department of Player Safety
In a new interview with TSN, McDavid spoke about the frustrating review process that has everyone complaining each time a suspension is announced.
If every time there is a suspension everybody complains about it, why don't we take a look at the process. And figure out if there's a better way to make sure both parties are happy because it seems like there's a lot of frustration. - Connor McDavid
The frustration doesn't stop with McDavid, fans and even Auston Matthews' agent shared their anger at the process and demanded changes from Gary Bettman.
Now, it will be up to the commissioner to determine the best course of action and how the process can be improved for next season.
Also read on HockeyLatest :
John Tortorella calls out NHL after Radko Gudas ends Auston Matthews' season
John Tortorella calls out NHL after Radko Gudas ends Auston Matthews' season
| POLL | ||
MARS 15|312 ANSWERS Connor McDavid calls out Department of Player Safety, urges Gary Bettman to make changes Does Gary Bettman need to make major changes to the Department of Player Safety? | ||
| Yes | 304 | 97.4 % |
| No | 8 | 2.6 % |
| List of polls | ||