Connor McDavid Praises Foe-Turned-Teammate After Victory
After the 4 Nations Faceoff opening game, Connor McDavid had nothing but good things to say.
David Kirouac-Imagn Images - Connor McDavid Praises Foe-Turned-Teammate After VictoryEDMONTON -- Tournaments like this bring out camaraderie.
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They also make best friends out of your worst enemies. Some Edmonton Oilers fans have already expressed how strange it is to see Connor McDavid on the ice with someone donning a number 29 jersey who isn't Leon Draisaitl.
Given the nature of their rivalry against the Toronto Maple Leafs, it might be strange for Oilers fans to see Mitch Marner dance on the ice with the Oilers captain. Stranger still is the sight of Sam Reinhart on McDavid's wing.
However, McDavid had nothing but good things to say about the Florida Panthers winger after the team's first game, a 4-3 overtime thriller over Team Sweden.
"He's a great player," McDavid said. "Super underrated for a guy who scores 50 (goals). He defends just as well as anyone."
Reinhart played 18:55 against Sweden and registered three shots, one block, and one hit.
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"Nice to have him on your side."
Reinhart was part of the Panthers team that defeated the Oilers this past summer to win the Stanley Cup. He is having a great season so far in 2024-25.
In 57 games, he scored 31 goals and tallied 31 assists. He might not be leading the league in goals, but it's tough not to be impressed with his offensive game this year. He is one of six players who has scored at least 30 goals this season to date.
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Sam is the younger brother of former Oilers defender Griffin Reinhart. His name may conjure PTSD in those who remember the infamous Peter Chiarelli trade, in which the Oilers acquired him for one first-round and one second-round draft pick.
The first-round pick the New York Islanders used to draft Mathew Barzal.
But as McDavid said, it's nice to have Sam on his side—at least for this tournament. Once the tournament ends, things will return to the status quo.
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