Gretzky defends McDavid’s fiery outburst; says targeting comes with superstar territory

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 Oilers loss, 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.

“I did all I could defending him last year in the media,” McDavid 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. 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.

“We can put the whole, ‘if he did on purpose thing’ to rest, because what he said out there confirmed that. It shows what kind of guy he is when he doesn’t step up and fight our guys.”

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READ MORE: Edmonton Oilers lose 6-5 in see-saw battle with Philadelphia Flyers

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 today at the NHL’s board of governors meeting.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "He probably felt like he had some liberties taken at him by the young man and he spoke out against it," Gretzky said today at the NHL's board of governors meeting.

After scoring the Oilers second goal Thursday night he immediately began taunting Manning, the two jousting physically and verbally throughout.

Gretzky said players have always and will continue to target McDavid. It was 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.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "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.