Brandon Manning was never drafted, a hard-working kid out of Prince George, B.C., who has slugged out a path to a National Hockey League roster spot in Philadelphia. Quite possibly, the only reason many Edmonton Oilers fans will have heard his name is because he has been linked to Connor McDavid.
On a day like this one, with the Flyers making their only visit to Edmonton this season, Manning would perhaps have preferred to remain anonymous.
"One freak accident kind of snowballed," Manning said Thursday morning, standing outside the visitor’s dressing room at Rogers Place. "I don’t need the attention. I don’t need the media. I’m here to play my game, continue to grow, and help the Flyers every night."
All of that, plus protecting his reputation as an honourable player was on Manning’s plate Thursday, as the inevitable question arose from the media. You’ll recall that it was Manning who got caught up with McDavid on the play where the Oilers star broke his collarbone in November of 2015. McDavid called him "classless" this past December in Philadelphia when the Oilers centre claimed Manning told him during the game that the hit, and resulting injury, was intentional on his part.
"I did all I could defending him last year in the media," McDavid said on Dec. 8 in Philly. "Everyone wanted to make a big deal saying he did it on purpose. And 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."
"Where I come from," countered Manning, "what happens on the ice stays on the ice."
Did Manning tell McDavid that he hurt him on purpose?
"No, definitely not. Never would. That’s not who I am. Anyone around me can vouch for that," Manning said. "When he’s starting the second period and he’s telling me from centre ice to come on the ice, that’s something I haven’t seen in a long time.
"I was pretty confused by it, and disappointed with the comments after the game of being a classless hockey player. Anyone who knows me, or has been around me, (knows) that’s not my game and that’s not who I am."
McDavid downplayed the storyline after Edmonton’s morning skate Thursday.
"Honestly, I said my spiel last game and tonight is a big two points for both teams. They’re looking for a playoff spot and we’re trying to hold one down," said McDavid, who admits that the on-ice chirping can sometimes get under his skin. "Obviously I have to do a better job of it. I just have to focus on myself and keep playing my game."
Manning, 26, is a relative nobody as far as NHL defencemen go. He’s played 126 career games, scored just 21 points, and was never drafted.
McDavid, of course, leads the NHL in scoring and is considered the heir to the mantle of "Best Player in the Game."
"If I’m out there against him I’m going to finish my checks, play hard in front of the net. That’s what I do," Manning said. "That’s why I’m in this league, and I’m not going to stop doing that."
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For now, the storyline is losing its legs. One hard hit by Manning on McDavid, however, and you can bet it will return full force.
"For us the Manning thing is out of the picture right now," McDavid’s left winger Pat Maroon said. "If it needs to be taken care of … if Connor feels frustrated or if anything happens — not just to Connor but anyone else in this room — everyone sticks up for each other.
"We can go up against any team if it gets physical. We have the meat in here to do it," Maroon promised. "If it goes the distance, it goes the distance."
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