Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid believes NHL referees have some room for improvement.
"The refs have such a tough job to do. The game is so quick and things happen so fast. ... However, I do wish there was maybe a little more consistency," McDavid said, per The Athletic's Daniel Nugent-Bowman. "That's what we're looking for as players."
McDavid added: "The other sports have been able to do that from the regular season to the playoffs."
Numerous controversial calls have drawn the ire of fans, players, and pundits alike throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Commissioner Gary Bettman addressed the matter at his annual press conference Monday, saying the NHL employs the "best officials in any sport."
McDavid's brief postseason became a part of the officiating controversy after he didn't earn a single penalty call in a four-game sweep at the hands of the Winnipeg Jets in Round 1. The Oilers captain ranked second in the NHL with 22 drawn infractions in the regular season.
McDavid also didn't draw a penalty during Edmonton's qualifying-round loss to the Chicago Blackhawks in 2020.
The 24-year-old won the Hart Trophy this season after leading the league with 105 points.
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