Mark Messier said Wednesday he was horrified by the Edmonton Oilers hiring controversial coach Mike Babcock, sharply criticizing both the appointment and the level of player involvement in the decision. Speaking during an ESPN media conference call ahead of the NHL season, the Hall of Fame forward stated he was shocked by the move given the historical accounts of how Babcock treated players.
Messier Slams Oilers Hiring Process and Player Influence
Edmonton hired Babcock, 63, in June to replace Kris Knoblauch, bringing the veteran bench boss back to the league nearly three years after he left his post in Columbus. The hiring came together in collaboration with Oilers veteran stars Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman, who personally vetted the coach. Jeff Jackson, the team’s CEO of hockey operations, defended the structure, stating those players earned the right to have a voice. Messier rejected that justification outright, arguing that management must maintain a strict structural divide from the locker room.
“I think there has to be a separation of powers on the structural level of any team,” Messier said during the call, as reported by ESPN. He questioned who players could turn to with difficulties if the team’s leadership is directly tied up in management and coaching decisions. Former NHL defenseman Mike Commodore also blasted the decision on social media, writing that anyone who cleared the path for Babcock should be ashamed.
Babcock’s Troubled Track Record Under Scrutiny
Babcock’s return to an NHL bench revives intense scrutiny over past allegations of mental abuse and inappropriate workplace conduct. Former Detroit Red Wings forward Johan Franzen previously accused Babcock of verbal attacks that caused an emotional breakdown, calling him the worst person he ever met. During his tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Babcock asked rookie Mitch Marner to rank his teammates privately before sharing that list with the rest of the roster. Former Toronto forward Daniel Winnik described Babcock as a bully during a June radio interview, stating he was the only person who made him hate hockey.
Babcock’s most recent NHL stint ended in September 2023 when he resigned as coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets just months after taking the job. That resignation followed an NHL investigation into violations of player privacy after Babcock asked players to show him photos on their cellphones. Though the NHL cleared the Oilers to hire him in June, stating there was no current basis to restrict his employment, the controversy surrounding his past behavior remains a prominent storyline as Edmonton approaches its regular-season opener.
Did you know?
Mike Babcock won a Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 2008 and secured two Olympic gold medals coaching Team Canada, but he spent nearly three years completely out of the NHL coaching ranks before Edmonton brought him back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who hired Mike Babcock as the Edmonton Oilers coach?
The Edmonton Oilers hired Babcock in June in collaboration with veteran stars Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman.
Why was Mark Messier upset about the hiring?
Messier cited troubling stories from reputable people regarding Babcock’s past treatment of players and criticized the lack of structural separation between players and management.
Did the NHL investigate Mike Babcock before this hiring?
Yes. The NHL investigated Babcock’s abrupt resignation from Columbus in 2023 over cellphone privacy violations before clearing him to return to coaching in June.
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