Edmonton Oilers legend Mark Messier is voicing profound disapproval regarding his former franchise’s decision to appoint Mike Babcock as head coach.
Speaking candidly during ESPN’s Open Night media conference call on Wednesday, the Hockey Hall of Famer—universally celebrated for his defining leadership qualities and championship pedigree—did not mince words when discussing the organization’s willingness to bring the polarizing bench boss on board. Messier made it clear that the move runs counter to the fundamental principles of player protection and dressing-room accountability that he believes should govern a premier NHL franchise.
"I’m absolutely shocked they hired him," Messier told reporters during the media session. "I’m absolutely shocked that from the stories that I heard from very good, reputable character people about the way they were treated. It’s been no secret."
A High-Stakes Change Behind the Bench
The Oilers officially hired Babcock on June 23, 2026. The veteran coach was brought in to replace former head coach Kris Knoblauch, who had previously guided Edmonton to back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances in 2024 and 2025. Despite those deep postseason runs, Knoblauch was relieved of his duties following a disappointing first-round exit against the Anaheim Ducks earlier this year.
Babcock has not stood behind an NHL bench in a regular coaching capacity since 2019, when his tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs came to an end. He was subsequently hired by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023, but that stint famously ended before he ever coached a single game with the club. Babcock abruptly resigned amid mounting scrutiny and allegations regarding the invasion of players’ privacy, casting a long shadow over his immediate coaching future.
Following an extensive league review, the NHL concluded an investigation on June 18, 2026, officially clearing Babcock of any allegations and making him once again eligible to coach in the league. Seizing the opportunity, the Oilers moved swiftly, securing his services just five days after the clearance was announced.
Crucially, the appointment was made with the explicit blessing of the team’s elite leadership core, a group headlined by superstars Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and veteran forward Zach Hyman.
The Players’ Perspective Versus Leadership Concerns
While the decision to hire Babcock raised eyebrows across the hockey world, Edmonton’s top players have defended the move, expressing an eagerness to be pushed by a demanding coach. McDavid addressed the rationale behind the hiring during a candid interview back in June, explaining that the team’s core players actively sought a coach who would hold them accountable to the highest possible standards.
"We brought Babs in to be hard on me and Leon," McDavid said of the hiring in an interview with Sportsnet. "The top guys — that’s who we want to point the finger at. All I can speak to is him being our head coach today, and we want Babs to come in and be hard on Leon and [Ryan Nugent-Hopkins] and [Evan Bouchard] and [Mattias Ekholm] and [Zach Hyman], and me."
McDavid emphasized that the players view Babcock’s demanding style as a necessary tool for collective growth and championship contention. "We want to push those guys, and we want him lifting up everybody else," the Oilers captain added.
However, Messier remains entirely unconvinced by the rationale offered by the players. As someone who built a legendary career on understanding team dynamics, locker room culture, and organizational hierarchy, Messier views the integration of Babcock through a fundamentally different lens. He expressed deep concern over the blurring of lines between management, player leadership, and accountability.
"The leadership of your team has to protect the players inside the dressing room," Messier 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."
Deeper Organizational Questions Raised
Messier’s critique extends beyond the initial headlines and touches on the structural vulnerability of a hockey club when internal leadership and top management become inextricably linked. He pointed out the potential pitfalls should the dynamic between the veteran coach and the roster begin to deteriorate over the grueling course of an NHL season.
"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," Messier said, highlighting the unique pressure placed on Edmonton’s star-driven hierarchy.
For a franchise with Stanley Cup aspirations, the gamble on Babcock represents one of the most high-stakes personnel decisions in recent league history. While the front office and the team’s highest-paid players are fully bought into the vision, the public dissent from an organizational icon like Messier underscores the polarizing nature of the hire.
As the Oilers prepare to turn the page toward the upcoming season, all eyes will be fixed on Edmonton to see how this high-profile partnership unfolds on the ice and whether the concerns raised by the franchise’s alumni will ultimately materialize in the dressing room.
"I am just horrified about the whole thing, to be honest with you," Messier concluded.