I have no problem with a player fighting on behalf of a star teammate. So if Lucic or whoever felt that they needed to settle the score, then I understand, and I think Manning would as well.

However, now, McDavid has publicly stated the "some of our guys" wanted to fight Manning. So, if anything, I think that puts a bit of pressure on certain of his teammates to be obligated to try to fight him again, and I don't think that's fair to them. Not a big deal, and again, he's a 19-year-old kid.
- jmatchett383

Good point, shows poor leadership and puts himself ahead of his teammates. As much as it is some guys' role to fight, its not exactly easy to go bareknuckles against other NHL players. If he really wants someone to step in for him he needs to go directly to his team and make it clear and not bring it out in the media. But like you say, he's 19 and has a lot to learn on the leadership side.

He and that jackaninny that wrote for the Kings, Matthew Barry, definitely made for some interesting reads. They made Garth seem logical and even-keeled.
- jmatchett383

I think Clouts atleast knew (and probably admitted it at some point) he was it in for the comedic touch. I didn't take him seriously, but his blogs as a whole were pretty fun to read.

Kind of like the anti-JT. (No stats, no bullsh!t music videos)

Here's the real question... will Manning even be in the league a year from now ?
- LittleRickyV2

Very likely. Flyers will be letting 38 year old Streit walk for sure, and no way they resign Schultz. Even if the 2 big prospects in the AHL Morin and Sanheim both show they are ready to make the team next year, then it is likely Manning and Macdonald would alternate between 6 / 7, assuming Del Zotto is brought back or replaced.

There is also a chance Manning is taken by Las Vegas in the expansion draft if the Flyers resign Del Zotto. Matt Read or Manning are the most likely players to be taken in the expansion draft, assuming Hextall doesn't offer Vegas something to take the big contract of MacDonald.

Where's that dude who's avatar is the fake cartoon metal dude eating the bucket of man juice, Jeroproto or whatever? He's usually in here making no sense. Seems like this convo would be right up his alley.

The media absolutely plays a role in this. There are legit sports journalists and little weasels that troll players with questions. Asking before the game if he has "received an apology yet", is a stupid question and gets things started.

Obviously players need to learn not to react to this post game, but again he is 19 and he will learn from this experience.
- leonkennedy

So much this


They're just praying these meatheads are still fired up and take the bait so they get good 'copy'

Super disingenuous the way they often work.

Pisses me off when they also call out frustration and take no part in the blame when a player fires back at that kind of journalism.
"Wow. What a crazy rant. That guy seems unstable " (this is the implication anyways)

Jeremy Roenick the player or Jeremy Roenick the "analyst?"
- jmatchett383

I can't tell the difference between them actually. One just wore a $2,000 suit.

I can't tell the difference between them actually. One just wore a $2,000 suit.
- DeflatedPucks

As a player, Roenick was a colorful star who played a hard game.

As an "analyst", he's Mike Milbury without having made the Yashin trade.

Good point, shows poor leadership and puts himself ahead of his teammates. As much as it is some guys' role to fight, its not exactly easy to go bareknuckles against other NHL players. If he really wants someone to step in for him he needs to go directly to his team and make it clear and not bring it out in the media. But like you say, he's 19 and has a lot to learn on the leadership side.
- 13sundin13

Upon further reflection, I do think it was a misstep by Connor.

But it's too bad that those desperate for something negative to say about him will hanging their hats in this one for ages. he's been nothing short of a classy, humble, self effacing guy in every interview. I think he's been a good leader this far (at face value of course)
But none of that will matter much anymore to far too many people

So much this


They're just praying these meatheads are still fired up and take the bait so they get good 'copy'

Super disingenuous the way they often work.

Pisses me off when they also call out frustration and take no part in the blame when a player fired back at that kind of journalism.
"Wow. What a crazy rant. That guy seems unstable " (this is the implication anyways)
- HB77

Yup. What pisses me off is when guys like EK say he should leave it on the ice, when it is people like EK that make up rumors and make money off of that type of journalism.
I swear some of the guys in the rooms after the games had their training done with TMZ

Yup. What pisses me off is when guys like EK say he should leave it on the ice, when it is people like EK that make up rumors and make money off of that type of journalism.
I swear some of the guys in the rooms after the games had their training done with TMZ
- leonkennedy

Def not Larry Brooks. He goes toe to toe with the best of 'em.
#bringbrooksietoCLB

Upon further reflection, I do think it was a misstep by Connor.

But it's too bad that those desperate for something negative to say about him will hamgvrheir hats in this one for ages as he's been nothing short of a classy, humble, self effacing guy in every interview. I think he's been a good leader this far (at face value of course)
But none of that will matter much anymore to far too many people
- HB77

I don't think that's true. He's a 19-year-old kid who's already being expected to replace the former face of the league. And he's done it with a ton of class. I don't think that one comment after a game with high emotions like last night will follow him the way certain actions followed Crosby around. Sure, it's a chink in the armor, but no one will remember it a year from now unless they're playing Philly.

I don't think that's true. He's a 19-year-old kid who's already being expected to replace the former face of the league. And he's done it with a ton of class. I don't think that one comment after a game with high emotions like last night will follow him the way certain actions followed Crosby around. Sure, it's a chink in the armor, but no one will remember it a year from now unless they're playing Philly.
- jmatchett383

Def not Larry Brooks. He goes toe to toe with the best of 'em.
#bringbrooksietoCLB
- DeflatedPucks

That could be a weekly show between him and Torts, and that is one reality show, besides the one that Seymour Butt's did, that I would watch.

- DeflatedPucks

Going by current season's trading cards, McDavid is the face of the league.

Keep in mind I said, "Face of" not "Best player."

Yup. What pisses me off is when guys like EK say he should leave it on the ice, when it is people like EK that make up rumors and make money off of that type of journalism.
I swear some of the guys in the rooms after the games had their training done with TMZ
- leonkennedy

"So Brandon denies your allegations Connor. There's also rumours he's banging your mom. How do feel Now that he's injured you, taunted you about it, called you dishonest and had his way with your mom "??.........



"Whoa, can't believe he reacted that way to such a simple question! . What a maniac "

Is it possible that you are perhaps assuming there was more emotion in the writing, than the writer intended? When a message is communicated, especially in writing, the receiver often times makes assumptions about the intended message based on their own biases.
- leonkennedy

Writing is a highly subjective medium. Despite that, it's well within one's control to adjust things so that they convey that message if the aim to avoid coming across very biased or emotional. Assumptions aren't a bad thing to make in a text-based medium. In fact, they're necessary more often than not.

This having been said, it's still well within possibility that he has a complete emotional disconnect from this issue and I read into it more than he intended. If that's the case, then I'm one of many who read it that way and it still reflects negatively on the piece- unless that was the intended goal.

Going by current season's trading cards, McDavid is the face of the league.

Keep in mind I said, "Face of" not "Best player."
- jmatchett383

"So Brandon denies your allegations Connor. There's also rumours he's banging your mom. How do feel Now that he's injured you, called you dishonest and had his way with your mom "??.........
- HB77

"Connor, is it true that you either hate Brandon Manning, smoke crack, or enjoy a nice steak dinner?"

BREAKING: CONNOR MCDAVID IS A CRACK ADDICT, LIKES STEAK!

Going by current season's trading cards, McDavid is the face of the league.

Keep in mind I said, "Face of" not "Best player."
- jmatchett383

I'll play along.
Sid?

That could be a weekly show between him and Torts, and that is one reality show, besides the one that Seymour Butt's did, that I would watch.
- leonkennedy

They have to start bringing in more colorful reporters. Brooksie didn't give a sh!t about the games i'm pretty sure.

I'll play along.
Sid?
- HB77

Yes.

"Connor, is it true that you either hate Brandon Manning, smoke crack, or enjoy a nice steak dinner?"

BREAKING: CONNOR MCDAVID IS A CRACK ADDICT, LIKES STEAK!
- jmatchett383

Yes.
- jmatchett383

The sh1t i see connor do on a nightly basis is jaw dropping. never seen it before

But won't argue against sid. He's been killing it for ages. And there's certainly something to be said about that.

I want to argue- but I won't


However, I do think if Connor isn't in fact the best player in the world today, he's close and will unequivocally be by a large margin in the not too distant future

Writing is a highly subjective medium. Despite that, it's well within one's control to adjust things so that they convey that message if the aim to avoid coming across very biased or emotional. Assumptions aren't a bad thing to make in a text-based medium. In fact, they're necessary more often than not.

This having been said, it's still well within possibility that he has a complete emotional disconnect from this issue and I read into it more than he intended. If that's the case, then I'm one of many who read it that way and it still reflects negatively on the piece- unless that was the intended goal.
- MaximumBone

Assumptions can be very bad in a text-based medium. Makes it very easy to jump to conclusions. That being said if one wants to make assumptions when reading text, they are accountable for the assumptions they make, the writer is not.

Unless of course one is not clearly communicating an intended message or instruction, but again one can clarify or make assumptions.

Also not saying you are wrong in receiving Hendo's blog the way you did, because it is well documented that we are BFF's and never argue here. Just that perhaps hendo wasn't being as emotional as you suggest he is.

The sh1t i see connor do on a nightly basis is jaw dropping. never seen it before

But won't argue against sid. He's been killing it for ages. And there's certainly something to be said about that.

I want to argue- but I won't


However, I do think if Connor isn't in fact the best player in the world today, he's close and will unequiovically be in the not too distant future
- HB77

Oh, I think McDavid is clearly the heir apparent to Crosby. He may win the Art Ross, but Crosby has had years to work on his all-around game, which I expect McDavid to do over time.

Something of note: My wife's from Pittsburgh, so we wacthed a lot of Crosby's early years. In each game when he was young, he'd do about one thing per game where my jaw just dropped. He did things I've never seen before. Now, he's simply the best player in the game, but he doesn't do it with dazzle, he simply is the best fundamental player in the game. I'm curious to see how McDavid proceeds as he ages with respect to this.