Fans Call Out League Bias After Aaron Ekblad's 20-Game Suspension

On Monday, the NHL announced a 20-game suspension for Aaron Ekblad as a result of a failed drug test, with the Florida Panthers veteran owning up to the mistake in a statement he released.

While details haven't been released, a 20-game suspension seems rather light for a PED violation, with other leagues coming down much harder on these instances in recent years.

Not only that, but the NHL have had their issues with inconsistent discipline, and now fans have called them out on social media for it, with one fan pointing out the 41-game suspension served by Shane Pinto for gambling being double the amount of time as Ekblad.

Sure, both issues bring the integrity of the game into question, but to have one suspension be double the games of the other is a genuinely confusing decision by Gary Bettman and the NHL.

While some have argued that the betting (Pinto didn't bet on his own games, which is a key distinction) was much, much worse, others agree with calling out the league, noting that Ekblad will simply slot back into the lineup for the Stanley Cup Playoffs despite cheating.

Ultimately, both are terrible looks for the NHL as they look to continue growing the popularity of the game, but for the amount of games to be double the other, it's easy to see why Bettman and the NHL are drawing criticism once more.