Though many were expecting suspensions, the time was very surprising to many fans and analyzers alike. Many people felt that the decisions by Gary Bettman and the NHL Department of Player Safety were uncalled for in their decision-making.
Since the news of the suspension came out, a story came through from the '2 Mutts Hockey Podcast', which has ties to the Edmonton Oilers organization, that McDavid is becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of protection for star players.
Connor McDavid threatens to scale back his participation in league events
Via a post on X, McDavid and his camp were reportedly considering any number of options to get his point across to the league, scaling back the amount he participates with the league in promotional events and media interviews as a form of protest.
That is a huge deal for McDavid and the Oilers, let alone the league since that involves one of the league's biggest superstars.
What will be interesting moving forward over the next day or two is whether McDavid or the Oilers come out with any kind of statement about this report and what may come from that as perhaps reflective of his relationship with the NHL.