We may know Sergei Bobrovsky's reason for ruining Gavin McKenna's rookie lap
Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Sergei Bobrovsky was at the Leafs optional skate while Gavin McKenna wasn't, and that may explain why the goalie hit the ice first on McKenna's rookie lap.
Sergei Bobrovsky showed up for the Maple Leafs optional skate on Tuesday morning.
Gavin McKenna did not. Hours later, the veteran goalie stepped onto the ice before the rookie could take his opening lap, and the timing is hard to ignore.
McKenna was making his NHL debut in the season opener against the Montreal Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena.
Most players debuting in the league use the morning session to settle their nerves.
The first overall pick chose to stay off the ice.
Defenseman Chris Tanev, who did skate, saw it as a sign of confidence, and head coach Jim Hiller had no issue with it either.
Was it a message from Bobrovsky?
To be clear, this is a theory, not a confirmed fact.
It does line up, though. Bobrovsky was reportedly part of the skate McKenna skipped, then stepped onto the ice first when the rookie was supposed to have it to himself.
A veteran who put in the optional work might not love seeing the kid pass on it.
There is a calmer explanation too.
Goalies live by routine, and Bobrovsky has long preferred being first on the ice before games.
It was also his first night in a Toronto uniform.
McKenna still got his lap and called the whole night special afterward.
A tough night for both
The game did not help anyone's mood.
Montreal won 3-2, McKenna finished minus-2 in 15:19 of ice time, and Bobrovsky stopped 21 of 24 shots.
Fans online were not kind about the lap, and the debate will probably follow Toronto for a while.
If Bobrovsky meant to send a message, it was a bold way to do it.
If not, it was just a goalie being a goalie.
Either way, both have a long season to move past it.
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