Advertisement

Connor McDavid says 'classless' Brandon Manning admitted to causing injury

Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (97) reacts after scoring a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid reacts after scoring a goal against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Connor McDavid is done defending Brandon Manning for the Nov. 2015 collision that resulted in a broken collarbone and 37 missed games for the Edmonton Oilers star last season. During their game Thursday night, McDavid was set off by comments he claimed were said by the Philadelphia Flyers defenseman that implied the play wasn’t accidental.

[Follow Puck Daddy on Facebook]

The two tangled with one another all night, and after McDavid scored in the first period, he celebrated with an intense fist pump and then had some more words for Manning.

Following the game, McDavid sounded off.

[Join a Yahoo Daily Fantasy Hockey contest now]

“You know what, I did all I could defending him last year in the media,” he said. “Everyone wanted to make a big deal saying he did it on purpose. He wanted to say some comments today about what went on last year and I thought it was one of the (most) classless things I’ve ever seen on the ice. He said some things and our guys responded accordingly. I guess we can put the whole if he did it on purpose thing to rest because what he said out there kind of confirmed that. Shows what kind of guy he is the way he doesn’t step up and fight some of our guys.”

Manning revealed last season that he received some threats following the hit. McDavid, like he said, didn’t think the collision happened on purpose, calling it an “unlucky play.” But apparently those thoughts are gone now. The Flyers blue liner found himself again defending the year-old collision after their 6-5 win Thursday night.

From the Edmonton Journal:

“One hundred percent not. Anyone who’s seen the clip sees him catch an edge. I would never intentionally hurt someone. Anybody who knows me, knows I play a hard game, that’s the reason I’m in the NHL. I think I play an honest game,” said Manning.

“There was a hit in the first period he didn’t like and for whatever reason, he kept coming at me. He’s not a guy who’s going to fight. He got hurt last year and nobody answered the bell there and guys wanted to go tonight,” said Manning. “He comes out and says that’s the most classless thing he’s ever seen. He comes out in the second period and yells at our bench for a minute and then tells me to get on the ice,” said Manning. “He scores a goal and starts chirping me. I think you see where his focus is right there.”

The Flyers and Oilers met last March when McDavid was healthy, but Manning was scratched from that game. Their next meeting this season comes Feb. 16. Will McDavid or any of his teammates have long memories in two months time or will this be long forgotten?

– – – – – – –

Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

MORE NHL COVERAGE ON YAHOO SPORTS: