Wild's McCarron Calls Out Avs' John Manson After 'Dirty' Butt-End

Things are getting chippy between the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche.

The Avs took Game 4 on Monday night in what was a very testy affair. It included Avalanche defenceman Josh Manson butt-ending Wild forward Michael McCarron, and needless to say McCarron didn't hold back or mince his words.

Manson and McCarron got tangled up along the half boards in the first period of Game 4, and Manson delivered one of the dirty butt-ends you'll ever see. He was assessed a four-minute double minor on the play, and during the first intermission, McCarron was interviewed by P.K Subban and didn't hold back.

"You played against Josh. He's a dirty player. He's always been," McCarron told P.K. Subban during a first-intermission interview on ESPN. "Surprised he got away with only a four-minute (penalty). I'm happy he's still in the game."

Wow, Wild forward Michael McCarron calls Josh Manson "a dirty player" during his intermission interview with PK Subban on @ESPN, after Manson hit him with the butt-end of his stick in the first period.

“I mean, you played against Josh. He’s a dirty player. He’s always been. Umm,… pic.twitter.com/byZqc0q0ig
— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) May 12, 2026

After the game, Manson tried to defend himself and had this to say about the ugly play:

"He hits me, but then he lands on me. I didn't really like that," Manson said, per The Athletic's Peter Baugh. "I butt-ended him. Was that on purpose, was that my intention? Absolutely not. … Did I want to punch him in the head? I did want to punch him in the head."

Meanwhile, McCarron didn't back down from his first intermission interview and doubled down:

"I blew him up, and he grabs me and pulls me on top of him. He's a dirty player. He took his butt-end and clearly butt-ended me in the face. I don't know how it's not five minutes," Manson said postgame, per The Athletic's Joe Smith. "I think the rule book says it's a five minute if you butt-end someone in the face. He's a dirty player. He's always been. Not very well respected."

You be the judge:

McCarron did not hold back in his intermission chat with @PKSubban1 on @espn: “I mean, you played against Josh. He’s a dirty player. He’s always been. Surprised he got away with only a 4-minute. I’m happy he’s still in the game.” pic.twitter.com/5t6tzxfPhl
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) May 12, 2026