​Mark Messier slams Oilers’ controversial hire of Mike Babcock: ‘I am just horrified’ originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.As the NHL season begins, one of the biggest storylines is whether the Edmonton Oilers can finally get Connor McDavid a Stanley Cup. That pressure is ramped up, though, now that Mike Babcock is coaching the team.Babcock, who led the Red Wings to a Stanley Cup title and coached team Canada to two Olympic gold medals, has been away from the game due to his controversial tactics as head coach. The 63-year-old has been accused of mental abuse by some of his former players, with the NHLPA concerned that he is not fit to coach an NHL team.Former players have expressed their concerns with the 63-year-old Babcock returning to the NHL, and that includes six-time Stanley Cup champion Mark Messier. The Oilers legend and current ESPN analyst was not shy in addressing his issues with the hire in front of the media.Here’s what Messier had to say about Babcock and the Oilers.MORE: Why Alex Ovechkin received backlash for appearing in pro-Putin campaign adMark Messier comments on Mike BabcockAhead of the NHL season, Mark Messier addressed a handful of NHL issues during a press conference for ESPN. Most notably, Messier discussed the Oilers controversial decision to hire Mike Babcock as their new head coach, saying he was “horrified” by it.”I am absolutely shocked they hired him,” Messier said, via ESPN. “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.”Babcock comes with baggage, as he resigned from the Blue Jackets before ever coaching a game due to poor conduct that included asking players to share with him personal pictures from their phones. Before then, though, Babcock has a history of coaching players too hard, both with the Red Wings and with the Maple Leafs, to the point where the NHL had to clear him in order for him to take the Oilers job.Messier’s comments, however, also hinted at Oilers stars like Connor McDavid having a significant role in Babcock’s hiring. Therefore, Messier specifically took issue with the power structure within the Oilers organization, and that is especially concerning with a controversial coach like Babcock.Whoa. My colleague Mark Messier on the Oilers hiring Mike Babcock as head coach, during the ESPN NHL Opening Night media call today.”I am just horrified about the whole thing, to be honest with you.” pic.twitter.com/Wcd7qOsm29— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) September 23, 2026″I think there has to be a separation of powers on the structural level of any team,” he added. “I think from the management to the coaching to the players, there has to be a divide. The leadership of your team has to protect the players inside the dressing room. How can you do that when you’re directly involved with the decisions they’re making at the ma