EDMONTON, AB - A player wants to play but when he doesn't and is a healthy scratch they get the opportunity to watch the game in a different way.
It's supposed to give them a perspective that can be used effectively once they get back in the lineup. Broadcasters want to broadcast but on Sunday, I was a 'healthy scratch' replaced by Shawn McKenzie. In fact, our entire Sportsnet crew was replaced. Garry Galley taking over for Louie DeBrusk or Drew Remenda and Dave Randorf calling the action, not Kevin Quinn. Instead of watching the game from Montreal and the Bell Centre I was in the cozy confines of my home. It was interesting to watch others talk about Connor McDavid instead of me and my normal tv partners.
With that in mind, what did I learn? I learned that I (we) aren't the only ones who gush over the captain. Sometimes you feel like, 'OK I have to stop this,' but then Connor does something and before you know it, you're back to gushing again. Like Saturday and the goal he scored versus Philadelphia. He played keep away from three Flyers who were within feet of him before roofing one over Carter Hart (sidebar: I met the Sherwood Park born netminder after the game and he seems like a really nice kid). Again, he finds ways to redefine his greatness and things that literally no one else in the game can do.
GENE'S BLOG: Catching up with Connor
In his latest blog, Gene Principe writes about the leadership Oilers Captain Connor McDavid has displayed of late
