Sergei Bobrovsky's second Gavin McKenna disrespect has fans furious in addition to rookie lap snub
Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Sergei Bobrovsky cut in front of Gavin McKenna's rookie lap, and fans say keeping No. 72 was a second slap at the Maple Leafs' top pick.
Sergei Bobrovsky stepped onto the ice ahead of Gavin McKenna on Tuesday night, taking the solo rookie lap away from the Maple Leafs' top pick.
Fans are furious online, and now some are pointing at the number on Bobrovsky's back too.
Sportsnet reported the move was part of a pregame superstition, but the timing still stung.
McKenna was making his NHL debut, a 3-2 loss to Montreal, and he finished without a point, a minus two and two turnovers.
Bobrovsky had a rough night too, with an .875 save percentage.
How the No. 72 situation played out
McKenna wore 72 at Medicine Hat and Penn State, and he planned to keep it.
Then Toronto signed Bobrovsky on July 1 to a three-year, $21 million deal.
McKenna said at development camp that the two-time Stanley Cup champion could have the number, and he switched to 92 after checking with Jeff O'Neill.
That is the context behind a post from "WatchMyReview" that agrees with the criticism.
The X user feels something about Bobrovsky comes across as selfish and thinks he should have given McKenna the number.
The unwritten rule about rookies deferring to veterans on numbers doesn't carry much weight in this case.
Why this hits harder the second time
To be fair, McKenna offered the number himself, and nobody has shown that Bobrovsky meant any harm.
Still, two moments in three months make it look like a 38-year-old veteran keeps putting himself first, and McKenna is the one left watching.
One friendly gesture toward the kid would go a long way, especially with the Leafs already 0-1 and every move under a microscope in Toronto.
Also read on House Of Hockey :
Major Connor Hellebuyck development emerges involving Canadian team
Major Connor Hellebuyck development emerges involving Canadian team