Backing from the best
PALM BEACH, FLA. — Wayne Gretzky understands, perhaps better than anyone, the frustration Connor McDavid felt Thursday night when he sparred with Philadelphia Flyers defenceman Brandon Manning.
McDavid and Manning jostled all night long in an eventual 6-5 Philly win, the Edmonton captain angrily denouncing the tactics of his opponent after the game.
The Great One says he was encouraged by McDavid’s fire, adding “it’s a hard game” and “emotions run high sometimes.”
McDavid claimed after the game that Manning told him on the ice he intentionally hurt McDavid last season.
The Oilers superstar missed almost half the season with a broken clavicle.
Gretzky says it’s good that McDavid has the competitive spirit.
“He probably felt like he had some liberties taken at him by the young man and he spoke out against it,” Gretzky said Friday at the NHL’s board of governors meeting.
McDavid called Manning’s actions “classless.”
“I guess we can put the whole ifhe-did-it thing to rest because what he said out there kind of confirmed that,” said McDavid.
After scoring the Oilers’ second goal Thursday, he immediately began taunting Manning, the two jousting physically and verbally throughout.
Gretzky said players will continue to target McDavid. It is the reality of life as a superstar.
“You play hard every night and you’re going to get tested every night,” said Gretzky, a member now of the Oilers management team.
“I did. And Mario (Lemieux) did. And (Sidney) Crosby did. (Jonathan) Toews does. (Steven) Stamkos. And Connor, he’s going to get tested every night, but this is not new for him. He’s been tested since he was a kid and then playing junior hockey, and now in the NHL and he’s always responded and done his part.”
McDavid leads the NHL with 38 points this season.