Eager O’Connor waits for chance
EDMONTON, Alberta — When organized drills began early in Tuesday’s practice at Rogers Place, no one seemed to be able to get a puck past Tristan Jarry.
Finally, after a few minutes of thuds as the goalie turned aside shot after shot, it was Drew O’Connor who broke through as he zoomed down the left wing.
O’Connor picked his corner there. But it appears the young forward will continue to wait to snipe a spot in the lineup. During Tuesday’s practice at Rogers Place, he was the odd man out up front, with Sam Lafferty still ahead of him.
Regardless, he is excited to be back with the NHL club after spending two weeks with the team’s American Hockey League club in Wilkes- Barre/ Scranton.
“Obviously, I want to be here and playing here,” he said. “But [it was important] having a positive outlook on going down there and kind of making the most of the opportunity, maybe playing a bit more and play in different situations. That was my outlook and I just tried to make the most of my time down there.”
It would have been easy for the young pro to get discouraged after he was sent down Nov. 14. Coach Mike Sullivan made it clear both in private conversations with O’Connor and publicly in news conferences that his demotion was largely tied to his contract status, not his performance in practices and games.
But O’Connor, who could be placed on waivers without worry of another team claiming him, went back to Wilkes- Barre/ Scranton and filled up the stat sheet. He had three goals and two assists in five AHL games before he was recalled.
“He played really well down there,” Sullivan said. “He played really well for us when he was here. … We’re really encouraged by the progress that he’s making.”
In addition to having O’Connor play center at the AHL level, which could give him more pathways to crack the NHL lineup, the Penguins wanted him working on the penalty kill. With Brian Boyle and Bryan Rust out, that’s another way in.
“Penalty kill is a big thing. It’s something I’ve done a lot in the past, in college and things like that,” he said. “It’s something I’d like to be able to contribute.”
Given that Boyle might not play on this road trip because of an upper-body injury and that Lafferty likely won’t get that long of a leash from the coaching staff, it seems like a decent bet that O’Connor will get an opportunity to suit up here soon.
Crosby vs. McDavid
The hockey world on Wednesday will be treated to another showdown between two generational talents in Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid. It typically makes for great theater, like when Crosby scored a highlight-reel overtime game-winner here three years ago. Crosby is looking forward to Wednesday, too.
“Loving to compete, the part that you enjoy about the game is the challenges every night,” he said. “Obviously, he’s one of the biggest. [ Leon] Draisaitl as well. You play against guys like that, I think it brings out the best in everybody.”
Crosby had high praise for McDavid, the dynamic Edmonton Oilers captain who has a couple of breathtaking goals among the 14 he has scored this season.
“He’s playing at such a high level. And I think when somebody’s playing at the level that he’s at, it’s hard to think they can again find another level. And I think he’s done that,” the former MVP said. “That’s the most impressive part about it.”
Going for the gold?
Crosby was asked about the upcoming Olympics in Beijing and weighing the thrill of getting another chance to win a gold medal for Canada against the potential risks that could arise from traveling to China during the pandemic, which include the possibility of being stuck in quarantine after the NHL season resumes.
With the Olympics two months away, the NHL is still ironing out some details.
“It’s a tough question. I think that there’s a lot of things to consider,” Crosby said. “The biggest thing is just trying to work through all those details, just making sure you kind of go through all those different scenarios and put everyone in the best possible spot that you can. It’s easier said than done.”