Gretzky himself had run-ins with different players throughout his career and he remembers those opponents as being the ones he'd rather play with than against.
"All the guys I hated playing against were always the guys I wanted to have on my team because those guys played hard and had spirit and they want to beat you," said Gretzky. "I've found as I look back on my career the guys that I most disliked were always the guys I would say 'gosh I wish that guy was on my team.' That's part of the game."
When it comes to NHL players punching back with either their play or their words, Gretzky says that's all part of being a competitor.
"We expect athletes sometimes to be sort of robots," he said. "It's an emotional sport. I've always found some the greatest athletes are that way because they play with a great deal of passion and emotion. They do have to battle back sometimes. Not everybody is going to like how you battle back but you've got to do it and stand your ground every now and then. Connor has fought all his own battles his whole life. He's going to be fine."
Gretzky on McDavid's comments
© Rob Carr
