Oilers’ Maroon harbours no hard feelings toward Ducks

Patrick Maroon is coming off a career year, he gets to play with Connor McDavid and he’s in the middle of a nice little playoff run with the Edmonton Oilers. So, no, he’s not looking for revenge against the Anaheim Ducks.

Revenge for what? A trade that turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to his career?

While he admits it’s going to be fun playing against some of his former Anaheim Ducks teammates, the Oilers winger says there is nothing personal at stake when the second round of NHL playoffs begins Wednesday at the Honda Center.

“This is going to be great, just like the coaching staff got to play against San Jose,” said Maroon, who’s been saying all season that he has nothing but good things to say about the Ducks and his time there.

“It’s going to be an exciting series and I’m ready for the challenge.”

Oilers head coach Todd McLellan, who just went through a similar experience in the last series with the San Jose Sharks he used to coach, said there are no mixed emotions in a situation like this. He’s an Oiler through and through, just like Maroon is.

“There is always a little bit of extra emotion when you play against your old team, and it probably ramps up a little bit in the playoffs,” said McLellan. “But he is a mature player and he has been around for a while. And he’s been with us for a year and a half. He’s been here long enough, he’s been through a lot of battles with this team already. He’ll be just fine.”

All the Oilers know is that they’re glad Maroon wound up in Edmonton, and aren’t concerned with the fact Anaheim is still paying part of his salary. Maroon has been an integral part of the Oilers all season.

“My years in San Jose, I always thought how he was an effective player (in Anaheim),” said McLellan. “He played big minutes with (Ryan) Getzlaf and (Corey) Perry in big-game situations and he produced with them.”

LINE DANCE

Maroon skated on the first line with McDavid and Leon Draisaitl at practice Monday, but McLellan isn’t saying whether or not he will move him back there for the start of the series.

And Maroon, who was moved to a line with Zack Kassian and Mark Letestu midway through Round 1, is fine with wherever they play him.

“I just have to go out there and play my game, keep doing what I’m doing,” he said, adding it would be great to be reunited with McDavid and Draisaitl.