The New Jersey Devils could lose 4th line center Michael McLeod to suspension due to an investigation of the 2018 Canadian World Junior team.
An accuser was allegedly sexually assaulted by multiple members of Team Canada at the 2018 World Junior championships. The incident is still under investigation but it’s nearing its conclusion. Andy Strickland on “Cam and Strick” said that it’s likely 5 players will be suspended. He went on to note that these names are “significant”.
Such significant names include Cale Makar, Carter Hart, Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, Drake Batherson and Michael McLeod. If a superstar like Makar was suspended, it would send shockwaves around the league. Not to also mention players like Jordan Kyrou, Carter Hart and Robert Thomas who are big names in their own right. McLeod isn’t a big name but his absence would leave the Devils without a top penalty killer and faceoff man.
If this investigation proves anything, these players absolutely deserve to be suspended. Quite frankly, their on-ice impact isn’t the major concern here. It proves to everyone that these young men who are role models did something heinous. They don’t even deserve to have the opportunity to play ever again if this is true. This brings up an interesting question. Would the Devils, who are trying to avoid off-ice controversy, keep McLeod around if he’s found guilty in this investigation?
Furthermore, the Devils have four capable centermen. Recent signee Tomas Nosek can play center in a bottom-6 role. If Michael McLeod faces suspension, Nosek takes his role. The Devils maybe signed Nosek because they were acting on prior knowledge regarding McLeod. However, he also got an extension, so it’s not like he was let go. This is an intriguing storyline that fell under the radar this offseason for the Devils.
Stay tuned for more New Jersey Devils and NHL content, including trades, signings, and various updates.
Featured image courtesy of NHL.com
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