Corey Perry has a big message for Connor McDavid
Photo credit: The Hockey News
Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid is gearing up to represent Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off, and all of his teammates are eager to watch from the sidelines to cheer on their captain. That said, Corey Perry has been a great story this season for the Oilers, providing timely contributions at 39 years of age.
That said, Corey Perry has been performing so well, head coach Kris Knoblauch has been rewarding him with top-six minutes, where the veteran has been getting an up-close look at McDavid's skill-set.
Corey Perry hypes up Connor McDavid
In a recent interview, Corey Perry highlighted his respected for Connor McDavid, admiring his elite skill-set.
According to the NHL, Utilized predominately in a fourth-line role for the Edmonton Oilers this season, Perry got an opportunity to see how the other half lived, elevated to the No. 1 line with the two stars against the Toronto Maple Leafs this past Saturday and at the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday.
«I've played with some pretty good players, some Hall of Fame players and those two will be in the Hall of Fame one day as well,» Perry said. «You can't express what they bring to the game and how they play the game. You see it each and every day, there is always an 'awe' moment that they pull on the ice and that's the best part of it.»
Getting to play alongside McDavid and Draisaitl was an impressive promotion for the 39-year-old, who worked his way up the lineup by earning the trust of coach Kris Knoblauch. Perry has been very good for the Oilers this season and demonstrated he still has a lot of hockey left in him.
«My expectations are pretty high of Corey,» Knoblauch said. «In my opinion, he's a Hall of Fame guy who is at the later end of his career but is still putting up good production. For his role and what he's done so far this year, pretty much stapled on the fourth line, second unit power play, he's produced pretty well.»
«He's just so smart, I think that's the main thing,» McDavid said. «He's been around a really long time, and he's seen just about everything there is to see in this League. He's just so smart out there, the way he's around the net, getting pucks off the wall, winning battles, that's really impressive.»
«He's just so smart, I think that's the main thing,» McDavid said. «He's been around a really long time, and he's seen just about everything there is to see in this League. He's just so smart out there, the way he's around the net, getting pucks off the wall, winning battles, that's really impressive.»
«It was not fun (playing against him). We played them in the playoffs and he's just smart, he knows what he's doing,» Draisaitl said. «His hockey IQ, in-game management, and with the puck is up there with the best that I've ever seen. We're very fortunate to have him with us.»
With the 4 Nations Faceoff finally upon us, Corey Perry will be watching his captain represent the country on hockey's biggest stage.
Source: NHL
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