Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid called Anaheim Ducks defenseman Drew Helleson's hit "dangerous" after being checked into the post in Thursday's loss.
"I'm not expecting him to give me a free pass," McDavid said, according to Sportsnet's Mark Spector. "He makes his decision; I make my decision. That's just the way it is. You're going to hit me like that, and there's going to be a response. That's just the way it is."
McDavid's linemate Vasily Podkolzin pummelled Helleson in response. Referees assessed Podkolzin 27 penalty minutes on the play and ejected him for a "one-man fight." McDavid admitted he's "never seen that call before."
MCDAVID GOES INTO THE NET HARD AND VASILY PODKOLZIN STANDS UP FOR HIS CAPTAIN AFTERWARDS https://t.co/4LNYbB0sVr
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 6, 2026
"I think people have me pegged as some type of robot, but I've got feelings and emotions too," McDavid said. "When that comes out, it can rattle a game up. Obviously, I appreciate the response from (Podkolzin). I thought it was an unfortunate call. I didn't like the call, really, one bit."
As a rookie, McDavid broke his collarbone when Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Brandon Manning hit him into the end boards. In 2019, McDavid injured his knee when he crashed into the post after Calgary Flames defenseman Mark Giordano took him down.
"Obviously, it's a play that is a little sensitive to me," McDavid said. "Those are plays that I've been really, really hurt on before. Going into the end wall, going into the net. ... Those type of plays I find to be dangerous. Obviously, I didn't love it."
McDavid added that he'd like to see high-speed plays at the net viewed with more severity.
"I wish that we treated the net like we treat the end wall," McDavid said. "If I (hit Helleson) going Mach 1 into the end wall, that's a five-game suspension. The net is just as dangerous in my opinion, with the goalie there, the post there. It's just as dangerous, for me and the goalie."
