Oilers Legend Messier ‘Horrified’ by Team’s Decision to Hire Babcock

Edmonton Oilers legend Mark Messier caused a stir on Wednesday (Sept. 23), saying he was “shocked” and “horrified” by his former team’s controversial decision to bring in Mike Babcock as head coach.

Messier, now a studio analyst for NHL broadcasts on ESPN and ABC, made the comments while speaking on a conference call with media to promote the upcoming NHL season.

Why Babcock’s Hiring was Controversial

Babcock was named head coach by Edmonton on June 23, returning to the NHL nearly three years after resigning from the Columbus Blue Jackets amid reports that he invaded the privacy of players.

The Stanley Cup-winning coach was cleared for hire following an investigation by the NHL that concluded there was no current basis to restrict his employment in the league.

Babcock, who previously coached in the NHL with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs, has faced claims made by his former players⁠ of alleged bullying behaviour.

Why Oilers Decided to Hire Babcock

The Oilers are hoping that Babcock can deliver Edmonton its first NHL championship since 1990. Edmonton reached the Stanley Cup Final twice, in 2024 and 2025, with previous coach Kris Knoblauch, but couldn’t get over the top, losing to the Florida Panthers both times.

Edmonton only decided to hire the 63-year-old bench boss after he had met with Oilers forwards Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. The franchise superstars vouched for him as head coach, and have spoken effusively of Babcock’s coaching style, which certainly contrasts sharply with that of Knoblauch, who was fired in May. Whereas Knoblauch is perceived to have been more laid back, Babcock is known to push buttons.

What Messier Had to Say

Messier didn’t hold back on Wednesday, weighing in not only the decision to hire Babcock, but how heavily Oilers players were involved in that process.

“My mom always told me if I don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all,” Messier said. “I am absolutely shocked they hired him. 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. I agree with (Ray Ferraro, fellow NHL on ESPN and ABC analyst) the way that he was onboarded through the players interviewing him is 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 that. It certainly wasn’t like that.

“I think there has to be a separation of powers on the structural level of any team,” Messier continued. “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 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,” added Messier. “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 by the whole thing, to be honest with you. I could go on and on, but I think you get my point.”

Messier’s Criticism Is Notable

Starting in 2022 with the signing of Evander Kane and continuing through earlier this month when they signed Alex Formenton, the Oilers have made increasingly controversial moves over the last several years. General manager Stan Bowman, himself, was an extremely controversial hire in 2024.

But while all these moves have drawn varying levels of criticism from fans, no prominent member of the team’s alumni has spoken out, until now.

Messier is an essential part of Edmonton’s franchise fabric. As a member of the Oilers from 1979-80 to 1990-91, he hoisted the Stanley Cup five times, won the Hart Trophy in 1990, and served as team captain for his final three seasons in Edmonton. His No. 11 hangs in the Rogers Place rafters, and he ranks among the team’s all-time top five in pretty much every statistical category.

He’s also regarded as one of the greatest leaders in sport’s history, so much so that the NHL’s leadership award is named for him.

So with that all in mind, it’s no wonder that the Hockey Hall-of-Famer’s remarks have made waves. Besides Wayne Gretzky, Messier is the face of the franchise’s glory days.

What Do Messier’s Comments Mean

Ultimately, this is just a single individual, albeit a very significant one, sharing his opinion. Oilers management and ownership obviously didn’t seek Messier’s input when they hired Babcock, so anything he says now isn’t going to shape their approach. Many of Edmonton’s players aren’t even old enough to remember when Messier last played, in 2006, so it’s fair to wonder how much his words even resonate with them.

Messier’s comments about the process of hiring Babcock is rooted in his experience, which is from another generation, and times have dramatically changed with respect to player-coach dynamic and player empowerment.

Still, his thoughts on Babcock’s character aren’t without merit, and he certainly wasn’t the only one that felt emotions of horror and shock when the Oilers announced Babcock as their new bench boss. Time will whether that was the right move.