Zadorov on the NHL suspending Soucy: ‘They have to protect their investment’

Vancouver Canucks defenceman Nikita Zadorov seems to have some ideas about why he was fined and Carson Soucy was suspended for their roles in an altercation with Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid at the end of Sunday’s Game 3.

Zadorov had to forfeit $5,000 after cross-checking McDavid from behind into the path of a second cross-check by Soucy, who was suspended one game after his own stick connected with McDavid’s face. The incident occurred shortly after time expired in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinal series between the Oilers and Canucks.

After a period of intense scrutiny from all corners of the hockey world, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety handed down its decisions to Zadorov and Soucy on Monday.

“Unfortunately, that’s the world we’re living in,” Zadorov said. “Sometimes, social media and the public’s views can create some hard decisions for specific people, and they might make questionable decisions at the end of the day. That’s how I look at it.

“At the end of the day, they have to protect their investment,” Zadorov added. “That’s my understanding in this situation.”