Watch: Edmonton Oilers coach 'considers referees just to be wallpaper'

“I’ve always considered referees just to be wallpaper,” said Hitchcock.

“The stuff that really bothers me is what is happening to Connor (McDavid). We’re in a league that is supposed to showcase our top players, and you don’t want to give them all the freedom, but the tug of war on him was absolutely ridiculous today,” said Hitchcock, referring to Edmonton’s 4-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks Sunday.

“That’s a little bit discouraging to be honest with you,” said Hitchcock. “Because I can see the whacking and hacking going on when he’s got the puck, but to me it’s all the stuff behind that doesn’t allow him to showcase his speed. And if that’s what we want, well, that’s fine. But I think it’s a real disservice to a player like him.”

— Robert Tychkowski