“How ridiculously soft are you?” “Dirtiest play”: NHL fans criticize Adrian Kempe for slew-footing Oilers’ Connor McDavid.

The NHL is no stranger to physical confrontations, high-intensity plays, and heated rivalries. However, sometimes certain actions on the ice cross a line, igniting controversy among players, coaches, and fans alike. One such incident occurred during a regular-season matchup between the Edmonton Oilers and the Los Angeles Kings, when Kings forward Adrian Kempe was involved in a controversial play involving Oilers captain Connor McDavid. What many fans and analysts immediately labeled as a slew-foot, one of the dirtiest plays in hockey, has sparked fierce debate, with many criticizing Kempe for the unsportsmanlike conduct.

Slew-footing, a dangerous and illegal maneuver where a player uses their leg to sweep the opponent’s feet out from underneath them while their upper body remains in a vulnerable position, is considered one of the dirtiest plays in the game. It can result in serious injuries and is often met with severe scrutiny and discipline when it occurs. In this case, the target of the slew-foot was none other than McDavid, arguably the best player in the NHL, who has been the centerpiece of the Oilers’ offense for years. Given McDavid’s stature in the league, the play immediately drew the attention of fans and media across North America.

This incident raised several questions: Was Kempe’s action intentional? Did McDavid deserve to be targeted in such a way, or was it simply an unfortunate play? And, perhaps most significantly, how should the league address such actions moving forward? As the debate rages on, we take a deeper dive into the play itself, the reactions from both fans and pundits, and the broader implications of the incident for both players involved and the sport at large.

1. What Happened: The Slew-Foot Incident

The incident took place late in a highly competitive game between the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings, two teams with a growing rivalry and plenty of star power on the ice. The Oilers were trailing in the contest, and McDavid, as always, was playing a critical role in his team’s attempt to make a comeback. As the game neared its conclusion, McDavid was skating with the puck through the neutral zone when he was unexpectedly hit by Adrian Kempe in what appeared to be a very intentional slew-foot.

As McDavid attempted to pivot and escape Kempe’s reach, the Kings forward used his right leg to sweep McDavid’s left leg out from under him. The move was swift, calculated, and dangerously effective. McDavid was sent crashing to the ice, struggling to regain his balance, while Kempe skated away without facing any immediate repercussions. Fans in the building reacted quickly, some booing loudly, others shocked at what appeared to be a blatant attempt to take down one of the game’s premier players.

From the angle of the camera, it was difficult to tell whether Kempe’s move was an accidental trip or a deliberate slew-foot. However, the impact of the play was clear. McDavid, after hitting the ice, looked frustrated and shook his head, clearly unhappy with what had just transpired. Although McDavid continued playing after the incident, many believed that it was a dirty play with the potential to cause serious harm.

The lack of immediate penalties or discipline from the officials only added fuel to the fire, with many fans feeling that the league was overlooking the severity of the situation. Players and fans alike were left wondering why such an aggressive play was allowed to go unpunished.

2. The Fan Reactions: Outrage and Criticism

As soon as the incident took place, social media erupted with passionate reactions from fans across the NHL spectrum. Many Edmonton Oilers fans were quick to condemn Kempe’s actions, with some calling the slew-foot one of the “dirtiest plays” they had ever seen in recent memory. Given McDavid’s importance to the Oilers, many felt that the play was particularly egregious, as it not only threatened to injure the superstar but also sent a message that dirty tactics could be used to neutralize one of the league’s best.

A wave of tweets, comments, and forum posts flooded in, with many people calling for severe consequences for Kempe’s actions. Some fans took issue with the way the play was handled by the referees, questioning why it didn’t result in a penalty. “How ridiculously soft are you?” one fan tweeted, referencing the lack of penalty on the play. “There is no room for this in the NHL. The league needs to take action.”

Others criticized Kempe’s history of similar plays, suggesting that he had crossed the line too many times in the past and that the league needed to step in. “Dirtiest play I’ve seen in a long time,” one fan wrote. “There should be no place for this kind of cheap shot in the league. McDavid could’ve been seriously hurt.”

Fans of the Kings were also vocal in defending their player, with many arguing that the play was unintentional and that McDavid may have simply lost his balance. However, even the most ardent Kings supporters had a difficult time ignoring the optics of the situation—particularly with the slew-foot occurring on a star player like McDavid, who is regularly subjected to intense defensive coverage.

The backlash continued to grow as the play was replayed on social media and analyzed by NHL commentators and pundits. Many speculated on Kempe’s intentions—whether the play was a targeted attempt to take McDavid out of the game or simply an unfortunate collision that was misjudged in real-time.

3. Analyzing the Intent: Was It a Deliberate Slew-Foot?

A key point of debate surrounding this incident has been whether Adrian Kempe intentionally slew-footed Connor McDavid or whether it was simply an accident. On one hand, it could be argued that the play was unintentional. McDavid was skating quickly, and Kempe’s leg may have made contact with McDavid’s in a way that led to an unintended fall. The fast pace of the game and the chaos that often surrounds such moments could have contributed to a misjudgment in positioning, leading to what appeared to be a trip.

However, when analyzing the play from different angles and considering the context of the game, it becomes clear that Kempe’s actions might have been deliberate. The way Kempe extended his leg to sweep McDavid’s skates out from under him—with no apparent attempt to engage in the puck battle or check McDavid in a clean manner—raises suspicion that this was a targeted, dirty play. McDavid, a player who is often the focus of physical play from opposing teams, has been subjected to numerous cheap shots over the years. The fact that this one was seemingly unprovoked and directly led to McDavid falling awkwardly has led many to believe that Kempe’s actions were intentional.

Further fueling the theory that Kempe deliberately slew-footed McDavid was the fact that Kempe did not make any attempt to apologize or acknowledge his opponent’s discomfort after the incident. The lack of accountability for the play, combined with the absence of a penalty from the referees, has left many questioning whether the incident was handled properly by both the players and the officials.

4. The NHL’s Response: No Penalty, No Discipline

The most frustrating aspect for many fans is the fact that the incident went largely unpunished. No penalty was assessed on the ice, and as of the time of writing, no supplementary discipline has been handed down to Kempe by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety. This lack of action from the league has prompted widespread criticism of how the NHL handles dangerous plays and the inconsistency with which certain players are punished for similar infractions.

Some fans pointed out that had the roles been reversed, with McDavid or another star player committing a similar act, it’s likely that the league would have issued a much harsher penalty. The NHL has long been accused of showing preferential treatment to high-profile players, and this incident seemed to feed into that narrative. As the league attempts to clean up the game and increase player safety, incidents like this serve as a test case for how seriously the NHL is willing to take player safety and discipline.

While the NHL has cracked down on certain dangerous plays in recent years, including headshots and hits to the knees, slew-footing has remained a less-disciplined area. This lack of consistent enforcement has left some wondering if the league is truly committed to protecting its players or if they are willing to turn a blind eye when the stakes are high and stars are involved.

5. The Fallout: What’s Next for Kempe and the Oilers?

As for Kempe, the fallout from this incident is likely to linger for some time. He may face further scrutiny from the league as more evidence emerges, and there is always the possibility of a fine or suspension. However, with no immediate penalty or suspension, it is unclear whether the NHL will take additional steps to punish him.

For the Oilers, the incident serves as another reminder of the difficult and often dangerous nature of playing with a player of McDavid’s stature. While McDavid managed to avoid injury from the slew-foot, his frustration with the situation was evident. The Oilers are a team that relies heavily on McDavid’s offensive output, and any injury to their captain could derail their playoff hopes.

Moving forward, both teams will likely remain focused on the game at hand, but the impact of this controversial incident will not easily be forgotten. Fans of both the Oilers and Kings will be watching closely to see how the league addresses this incident, and whether similar plays will continue to be allowed to slide without punishment.