Connor McDavid says Brandon Manning admitted intent

PHILADELPHIA-- Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid said Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Brandon Manning hinted during their game Thursday that he tripped him on purpose last season, leading to McDavid getting injured and missing three months of his rookie year.
"I did all I could defending him last year in the media," McDavid said after Edmonton's 6-5 loss to Philadelphia at Wells Fargo Center. "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. I thought it was one of the [most] classless things I've ever seen on the ice. He said some things, and our guys responded accordingly. I guess we can put the whole 'if he did it on purpose' thing to rest because what he said out there kind of confirmed that."

During the second period of their game at Rexall Place in Edmonton on Nov. 3, 2015, McDavid was carrying the puck at top speed through the Philadelphia zone when he got tangled with Manning and fell hard into the end boards.
McDavid fractured his left clavicle and did not play again until Feb. 2, 2016.

Manning at the time said the incident was accidental and reiterated that Thursday.
"I would never intentionally hurt someone," he said. "Anybody who knows me, I play a hard game. That's the reason I'm here, that's the way I'm in the NHL. I'm not here to score goals like some of those guys. I think I play an honest game, and anyone who knows me knows I play hard and stuff happens out there."
McDavid scored his first power-play goal of the season and had an assist in 20:19 of ice time. He leads the NHL with 26 assists and 38 points.
Manning was a minus-1 with one shot on goal in 16:49 of ice time. He has three goals and nine points in 25 games.
Philadelphia plays at Edmonton on Feb. 16.