Instead of coming out swinging, Ottawa Senators' forward Chris Neil has downplayed the comments of former teammate Brian McGrattan.
On Monday in an interview with Boston.com, Bruins' tough guy McGrattan was highly critical of the player with whom he spent three seasons in Ottawa after Neil squared off with non-fighter Dennis Seidenberg during Saturday's 4-0 Bruins victory.
"That's typical Chris Neil," McGrattan told Boston.com. "I had to protect that guy for three years when I was there. He'd do that and I'd have to fight all his battles for him the next time we'd play a team after he'd do something stupid like that. It doesn't surprise me."
When asked about McGrattan's comments on Tuesday at the Senators pre-game skate, Neil refused to be drawn into a battle of words.
"I'm sure he's trying to get into the lineup," Neil told reporters following practice. "I have nothing bad to say about the guy."
The 29-year old McGrattan has yet to play this season after signing with the Bruins as a free agent in October.
Neil meanwhile has three assists in 11 games and is second in the NHL with 45 penalty minutes heading into Tuesday night's game against the Maple Leafs.
