"There's a Pretty Big Gap There": McDavid On Narrative Players Too Close To Coach

Connor McDavid was asked about Mark Messier's comments and specifically about the questions regarding the gap between player and coach, or manager and player. Messier suggested that there wasn't enough separation and that if trouble popped up, the players would have nowhere to turn, given that the top guys on the team were essential in getting the coach hired. 

"I think you've seen the first couple days of camp, I think you've seen there's a pretty good gap there," responded McDavid. 

McDavid was saying that any narrative suggesting the Oilers leadership group is all buddy-buddy with the new coach isn't accurate. Babcock has been as hard on the top guys as he's been on anyone, and he knows the job he's there to do. He's been stopping drills, getting in the faces of anyone who cuts corners, and harping in on the smaller details. 

"That's what Babs does. The entire coaching staff's been great in getting us ready. It's on the players and us leaders to make sure we're ready to go."