“I understand 100% why guys are concerned about concussions, it’s a big man’s sport right now.

“Look at Connor McDavid. I know he didn’t get his bell rung. But he broke his shoulder blade and he got hit hard. I don’t care what anyone says. It wasn’t done on purpose. It was a hockey play that went wrong.

“These guys are so big and so fast and so strong, if you are not in the right position, you are going to get hurt. Either a concussion or hurting your knee or hurting your shoulder.

“These guys are great players now. Simple as that.”

-Wayne Gretzky. More on this topic by Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun.