Connor McDavid made money elbowing Jesperi Kotkaniemi in the head!

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid was at the centre of a controversy this week when fans were hoping the National Hockey League would do something about his elbow to the face of Montreal Canadiens’ Jesperi Kotkaniemi on Tuesday night. 

The Department of Player Safety announced the next morning that McDavid has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for elbowing Kotkaniemi. No suspension was handed to McDavid, who served a two-game suspension back in 2019 for an illegal check to the head of  New York Islanders  defenseman Nick Leddy. 

Just a $5,000 fine and to make things worse, the World Hockey Report on Twitter later revealed that McDavid actually made money with his hit to Kotkaniemi. 

This is how they put it: 

McDavid salary: $12,500,000
Per game (82 games): $152,439
Per 60 minutes: $2,540
2 minute penalty: $5,081
Fine: $5,000

Technically he made $81 for his hit on Kotkaniemi.

We have to say that the calculation is quite simplistic and there are other variables to consider, but it still gives a good idea of the insignificance of the sanction given  by the league.

It’s worth wondering whether the NHL’s Department of Player Safety should give heavier fines sanctions, maybe based on players’ salaries, to get them to think more about their actions and be discouraged to repeat them… 

What do you say?