The Edmonton Oilers went to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals under Kris Knoblauch, but after exiting in the first round in 2025-26, the team moved on from the coach. The Oilers then hired controversial coach Mike Babcock. Babcock was hired in 2023 by the Columbus Blue Jackets, but never coached a game after asking to see the players' cellphone camera rolls.

Now, Oilers legend Mark Messier, who played for the Oilers from 1979 to 1991, winning five Stanley Cups, is speaking out about the hiring.

“My mom always told me if I didn't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all I am absolutely shocked they hired him. 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. I agree with Ray [Ferraro] the way that he was onboarded through the players interviewing him is absolutely something that I've never heard of before. Maybe the game has changed, and that's the way it's going. Great. I don't know. It certainly wasn't like that,” Messier said.

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The legend was also critical of the hiring process.

“I think there has to be a separation of powers on the structural level of any team,” Messier added. “I think from the management to the coaching to the players, there has to be a divide. The leadership of your team have 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 management level and hiring of the management and coaches? I don't understand it. Maybe the game has changed to the point where that's the way things are going now, where players have that much say. I just don't know, if it does go bad and players are having difficulties, who do they turn to? Because if they turn to the leadership, the leadership is management. There's no separation there. I am just horrified about the whole thing, to be honest with you. I could go on and on and on, but I think you get my point.”

Babcock was hired by the Oilers after being cleared by the NHL and vetted by the players. Oilers players, including Connor McDavid, have publicly been supportive of the hiring of Babcock. Regardless, if the season does not produce results, there will be no escaping the questions about why he was hired in the first place. The Oilers open their season on September 29 against the Vancouver Canucks.