Adrian Kempe of the Los Angeles Kings has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement, for slew-footing Connor McDavid during Monday night’s win by the Edmonton Oilers. The play, one of the most dangerous and widely despised in the NHL, wasn’t assessed a penalty, but the league took a second look.
Slew-footing involves using a leg or foot to knock an opponent off balance by taking out their leg(s). The play often leads to dangerous falls where players cannot control their bodies as they hit the ice. This was a clear slew-foot with a very obvious leg-sweeping motion. McDavid escaped without injury, but the fact the play was missed has some scratching their heads.
Fans Are Laughing at the Fine
A $5000 fine means nothing to these players. For Kempe, it doesn’t even equate to .001 percent of his salary this season. Critics argue that the only way players will stop committing such actions is by heavily hitting them in their wallets, which this did not.
The fine has also drawn attention to the issue of protecting elite stars like McDavid. He’s often targeted in an attempt to slow down his production and speed. Players take liberties and if the Oilers don’t react when their captain is taken down, who else will? It’s clear the NHL is not going to deter a player like Kempe.
Where do you fall? Was the fine enough? After all, McDavid was unharmed. Or was this a dangerous act that required more serious consequences?
Sportsnet’s Mark Spector wrote:
“It doesn’t mater which uniform Kempe was wearing, or who he slew-footed. That is hockey’s dirtiest play — Kempe knows it — and should be punished. If he did that at Saturday morning hockey anywhere in Canada, a bruise would ensue.”
The Oilers aren’t likely to let this slide the next time these two teams meet. The Kings and Oilers already don’t like each other. Kempe gave Edmonton an extra reason to make the next one a feisty affair.
