In today’s NHL rumors rundown, Connor McDavid could be facing a suspension after his actions in the Jan. 18 game between the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks. Additionally, the Canucks came close to moving J.T. Miller, but something fell through and the trade wasn’t completed. Finishing off, there is some good news out of Ottawa surrounding Linus Ullmark, who is joining the team on their three-game road trip.
McDavid’s Cross-Check on Garland Could Be Suspendable
In a tight game between the Oilers and Canucks, McDavid and Conor Garland got into a wrestling match mid-play. With the Canucks holding a one-goal lead in the final 30 seconds of the game, McDavid and Garland had crossed paths and both fell to the ice. McDavid landed on Garland, and held him to the ice for 10 seconds, which considering the tempo of the game and desperation with 20 seconds left, felt like an eternity.
Connor McDavid was issued a match penalty on this play for cross-checking Conor Garland. pic.twitter.com/sB2Gpb3xAA
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 19, 2025
Garland broke free and grabbed McDavid as he tried skating away, and held him in a makeshift headlock for a few seconds before McDavid was freed. The Oilers captain and face of the NHL then went for a cross-check on Garland, hitting him square in the face. He was given a match penalty for the incident, which results in an automatic hearing from the NHL Department of Player Safety.
Related: Canucks Use Strong First Period to Defeat Oilers 3-2
McDavid was suspended for two games in 2019 for an illegal check to the head against Nick Leddy of the New York Islanders at the time, but he will not be seen as a repeating offender. McDavid did also make head contact against Minnesota Wild forward Marcus Johansson earlier in the week, but there was no fine, hearing, or suspension for that.
Miller Was Almost Traded to the Rangers
A few weeks ago, there were rumors about the New York Rangers offering up center Mika Zibanejad for Miller, but that trade was reportedly quickly declined by the Canucks. When offering up one of your top players, despite his performance this season, the idea of acquiring a player like Miller doesn’t just go away. There was a lot of noise surrounding Miller and the Rangers on Jan. 18, and it sounds like a deal was close to being completed.
Elliotte Friedman reported on Saturday Headlines that the Canucks are ready to move Miller and keep Elias Pettersson. It…
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