Bobby Orr, NHL legends laugh at prospect of providing advice to Connor McDavid

Bobby Orr and other NHL legends don’t seem to think Connor McDavid needs any advice from them

The question was asked on NBCSports.com: What advice would you give Edmonton Oilers’ emerging superstar, Connor McDavid?

Bobby Orr felt pressure and passed to another NHL legend. “Wayne?” Orr asked Wayne Gretzky, possibly the greatest player of all-time.

The roundtable of NHL icons burst into laughter. “There’s not much you can tell him,” Gretzky joked. “He’s pretty good. He’s a pretty good skater.”

If anyone has the resume to give McDavid a helpful word or two, it would be Orr. Recognized as one the game’s all-time fastest skaters, the former Boston Bruins defenseman revolutionized the position with his speed and skill.

Much like McDavid is doing to the modern game. The 2015 first overall draft selection, despite his youth, plays a step ahead of his peers. In 82 regular-season games last season, McDavid collected 30 goals and 70 assists. Displaying two-way enthusiasm, he compiled a plus-27 rating.

When the legends stopped laughing at the prospect of providing additional insight to McDavid, Orr collected himself and spoke to the experience he has with advising prospects the past two decades.

“I think the most important thing with any young player is he has to understand what he does off the ice,” Orr said. “If he has ability to play the game, he’s going to get his chance. The only place he can mess it up is off the ice.”

That means being responsible and dedicated enough to put in the extra time conditioning and maintaining the right diet and lifestyle.

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“Off the ice is where a young player has to bear down and do the right things,” said Orr, who has supervised Orr Hockey Group since 2002.

Oilers General Manager Peter Chiarelli knows the right thing he must do this offseason. He realizes the importance of opening contract extension talks this summer. In 13 playoff games this spring, McDavid registered five goals among nine points.

With one year remaining on his entry-level deal, McDavid will become a restricted free agent July 1, 2018.

Chiarelli is on the clock.

And that’s no laughing matter.