"Villain of the series" "Fine him again": NHL fans react to Nikita Zadorov's take on Carson Soucy's suspension

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Nikita Zadorov shared his thoughts on teammate Carson Soucy's suspension for a cross-check on Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid during Game 3 of the second-round series.

"They have to protect their investment... That's my understanding," Zadorov said, accusing the league of prioritizing the safety of star players like McDavid.

Soucy was suspended for one game for cross-checking McDavid right after Zadorov cross-checked him from behind at the end of Sunday night's game.

These remarks from Nikita Zadorov were immediately followed by reactions from NHL fans, who posted their opinions on social media.

"Villain of the series. Nothing more," one fan called Zadorov.

"Fine him again," another fan said.

"Why do we quote a 5-6 D-man. It’s like getting a quote from Ryan Reaves. Doesn’t matter, start asking players that matter," a fan wrote.

"So, he’s insinuating the league is rigged (which is hilarious coming from a Vancouver player) and this should definitely result in Zadorov being fined or suspended. Even though he won’t be," another fan said.

However, some fans supported Zadorov's comments:

"What a beauty, so refreshing to hear players that have personality in the otherwise boring NHL," a fan said on Zadorov's statement.

"This is actually so accurate that it's mind-blowing stuff. He nailed that. They do indeed have to protect their investment..lol. 'McDiver' doesn't have a team that will do it, so the NHL will," another fan said.

Ex-Oilers player responds to Nikita Zadorov and Carson Soucy's hit on Connor McDavid

Former Edmonton Oilers enforcer Luke Gazdic was unhappy that no Oilers player intervened and tried to protect McDavid.

“I didn’t love the response, I didn’t love the reaction, that’s my first thought,” Gazdic said on The Jeff Marek Show. "As a player who took a lot of pride in sticking up for his teammates...

"I didn’t think there was any response there from any Oilers players, and that’s my biggest thing. I was and am not happy with nobody at all jumping in there from the orange and blue.”