It was the fight that launched 1,000 subpar ledes, this one included.
On Tuesday night Erie Otters forward Connor McDavid - the consensus No. 1 prospect for the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, and by all accounts a generational talent - dropped the gloves with Bryson Cianfrone of the Mississauga Steelheads in an Ontario Hockey League game. He sustained a hand injury that will keep him out of the lineup indefinitely and may threaten his participation in the 2014/15 World Junior Championship.
On Wednesday NHL players reacted, and most of them were supportive - even admiring of McDavid's actions.
Former Arizona Coyotes tough and current Portland Pirate Paul Bissonnette called out the overwrought reaction to the fight in the media:
At this point take fighting out of hockey just to shut up writers who have never been involved in a competitive sport in their life.
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) November 12, 2014
McDavid had a kid playing hard and finishing hits on him. Probably had been in his hip pocket all night. He wanted it. It's a conflict sport
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) November 12, 2014
While Bruins heavyweight Milan Lucic was rather impressed:
Milan Lucic on Connor McDavid: "It's good to see that a player of his caliber has the fire and competitiveness to fight his own battles."
— Ryan Kennedy (@THNRyanKennedy) November 12, 2014
He also doesn't think it'll impact McDavid's draft stock:
Lucic on McDavid: "To be perfectly honest I don't think it's going to hurt his chances of going first or second overall in the draft."
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) November 12, 2014
Willing Toronto Maple Leafs fighter David Clarkson, probably not the best judge of restraint, similarly offered praise for McDavid's actions.
"I liked what he did," Clarkson said on Wednesday, according to Pro Hockey Talk. "You don’t like to see a guy get hurt, but I thought the kid was bugging him and he addressed it. He did a great job."
Clarkson's teammate Nazem Kadri similarly thought McDavid's actions were justified
Gist of #Leafs' Nazem Kadri on Connor McDavid fighting: "Good for the kid for sticking up for himself."
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) November 12, 2014
Kadri also awarded McDavid some hockey player bonus points for, in his estimation, winning the fight:
Kadri on McDavid "It seemed like he got the best of him. I'm sure if he didn't hurt himself people would be saying good for him"
— Shawn McKenzie (@ShawnMcKenzieSN) November 12, 2014
So as you might expect, the guys who actually play the game professionally understood and admired McDavid's spirit and willingness to drop the gloves. As for McDavid's insurers, they're similarly pleased - this is a perfect excuse to raise premiums on the young hockey phenom.
