- Mark Messier says he’s “absolutely shocked” and “horrified” the Oilers hired Mike Babcock
- The Oilers legend says the bigger issue is Edmonton’s leadership meeting with Babcock before the hire
- Read below for Messier’s full comments from Wednesday’s ESPN media call
Mark Messier isn’t holding back on the Oilers hiring Mike Babcock.
The Hall of Fame Oiler and six-time Stanley Cup champion was asked about the move during Wednesday’s ESPN NHL Opening Night media call, and he didn’t dodge it.
“I’m absolutely shocked they hired him,” Messier said. “I’m absolutely shocked from the stories that I heard from very good, reputable, character people about the way they were treated. It’s been no secret.”
Here’s the clip Greg Wyshynski posted from the call:
Messier isn’t a stranger to hard coaches. He played for Mike Keenan with the Rangers and Canucks, both known for intimidation tactics.
He made clear he sees a difference between that and what’s followed Babcock through Toronto, Detroit and Columbus.
“I am just horrified about the whole thing, to be honest with you,” Messier said. “I could go on and on and on, but I think you get my point.”
Babcock resigned from the Blue Jackets in 2023 after players accused him of invading their privacy by asking to see their phones.
Before that, in Toronto, a rookie Mitch Marner was reportedly told to rank his teammates by competitiveness, a list Babcock then showed around the room.
Messier’s bigger issue is with how Edmonton got here in the first place. Oilers leadership players, including Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman, met with Babcock before he was hired.
He explained why that setup bothers him.
“The leadership of your team have to protect the players inside the dressing room,” he said. “How can you do that when you’re directly involved with the decisions they’re making at the management level and hiring of the management and coaches? I don’t understand it.”
McDavid already addressed the arrangement last week, saying the Oilers would step in if Babcock ever crossed a line. Messier’s comments make clear he isn’t convinced that promise covers it.
We flagged the process angle on our own feed Wednesday:
Messier says he’s never heard of a process where players interview a coaching candidate before he’s hired. That’s the part of this story getting the least attention, and it’s the part he seems most bothered by.
Babcock is one preseason into his tenure in Edmonton. Now he’s doing it with a franchise legend on record saying the hire should never have happened.
