Connor McDavid is expected to receive at least a one-game suspension from the NHL Department of Player of Safety, due to his crosscheck on Conor Garland at the end of Saturday night's game between the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks. As much as it came about as a result of horrific officiating throughout the night, the seven-time NHL All-Star still shouldn't have reacted the way he did.
McDavid had his hearing on Monday shortly after practice, but the verdict has yet to be announced as of the time of writing. In any event, the Oilers and their fans have received some encouraging news in respect of another couple of their players, namely Derek Ryan and John Klingberg.
Beginning with Ryan, he had been placed on waivers on Sunday for salary cap reasons, due to the Oilers' recent signing of Klingberg. There was some belief/concern, that the 38-year-old could be claimed by another team, thus bringing to an end his tenure in Edmonton.
Fortunately for everyone concerned, as reported by Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff, Ryan cleared waivers and will now head to Bakersfield to join the Condors. Everyone at the organisation is more than happy that a player who has been a loyal soldier ever since first arriving in Edmonton back in July of 2021, is going to be around for a while longer yet.
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As for Klingberg, he hit the ice for the first time on Monday as a member of the Edmonton Oilers, to take part in practice. As per Mark Spector of Sportsnet, it seemed to go well, as the defenceman said:
"I feel incredible. I have way more motion and not any pain anymore... I'm very happy to be here."
Now before anyone gets too excited, it was advised by Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch, that Klingberg will not be playing in a game for at least another week. The team is understandably being extremely cautious, with a player who hasn't been in action since mid-November of 2023, after which he was placed on long-term injured reserve by the Toronto Maple Leafs with a hip issue.
There is a mixed sentiment among critics, about if it was a good idea for the Oilers to sign the 32-year-old. However, he's a gamble worth taking; either he can return to his previous form -- which will greatly help the team -- and if not, he's only on a contract for the remainder of this season.