BLOG: Hitchcock on McDavid's deployment

EDMONTON, AB - Along with the lure of coaching in his hometown, having the opportunity to work with a generational talent in Connor McDavid played its part in the decision by Ken Hitchcock to return behind the bench with the Edmonton Oilers.
Questions for Hitchcock during his first media availability as Oilers bench boss in San Jose centred around his plans for deploying his new roster, most specifically that of the two-time Art Ross and 2016-17 Hart Memorial Trophy winner.

"First of all, he's an awesome player," Hitchcock said from Oilers morning skate prior to his first game with the club on Tuesday against the Sharks. "But he has an awesome responsibility. It's not just scoring goals and getting points, he sets the competitive tone of the hockey club. I can really help him."
The former Jack Adams Award winner is no stranger to talent having coached the likes of Eric Lindros as an assistant 1990-93 with the Philadelphia Flyers and Mike Modano as head coach of the Dallas Stars for seven seasons from 1995-02.
The 66-year-old won a Stanley Cup with the Stars in 1998-99.

"I've been through some really good players who learned to adapt and do those things, and I can help him along there and get him to understand what his responsibility is because he's carrying too much of the burden," Hitchcock said.
"He needs to lighten the load a little bit, and I can help do that."
McDavid spoke to Hitchcock's reputation as an established coach in the NHL and on the world stage, noting the players have their responsibility on the ice of breaking the club out of a slide that includes six losses in seven games.
"Ultimately, we're a team that's underachieving and nobody likes where we're at, so the change was necessary," he said. "He's got a tremendous record both in the NHL and international play. He's a guy with lots of experience and we're looking forward to it."