The Edmonton Oilers power forward offered a few thoughts on a viral moment over this past weekend.
The Edmonton Oilers power forward offered a few thoughts on a viral moment over this past weekend.
EDMONTON -- The Edmonton Oilers are set to return to action tomorrow night against the Detroit Red Wings. According to the line rushes in practice today it appears that the Oilers will reunite the defense pairings that have seen the most number of games together this season.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpKv_rF0NVE[/embed]
One defenseman who is in the hot seat further east is Morgan Rielly of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Unless you have been living under a rock, you will no doubt have watched the replay of Rielly's reaction to Ridly Greig slap shoting the puck from five feet away for an empty net goal.
Many people have come down on both sides of this event. Many believe that Greig should have "expected something to happen" with his show-boat move.
Others believe that Rielly overreacted. He shouldn't have cross-checked him, or some variation of that sentiment. Either way, the department of player safety reviewed the play and are offering Rielly an in-person hearing on Tuesday.
Regardless of the outcome, Evander Kane was asked about his thoughts regarding the entire event. He began by iterating his support of players making plays that have personality, "the slap shot, I don't have any issues with."
He talked about Rielly's side of the equation, and he believes its possible that the Maple Leafs defender didn't target Greig's head.
"I'm sure he wasn't trying to crosscheck his head. A lot of these crosschecks sometimes they ride up the shoulder, and they're getting guys in the head."
Kane has fallen victim to incidents like this, "I've had that happen to me before in the past." Additionally he added what he would do if he was was in Rielly's position.
"I'm probably gonna respond the same way."
Ultimately he feels like there should be more displays of personality from hockey players in games. "I think it's good for the game. Either way it's entertaining.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKFCFO6oYvY[/embed]
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