- May 21, 2026
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When the Edmonton Oilers hired Mike Babcock to be their 19th head coach in franchise history in June, the decision was met with plenty of opprobrium. After all, Babcock had resigned as the head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023 after receiving allegations that he had invaded his players’ privacy by requesting to see and display personal photos from their cellphones.
Those allegations came after reports that Babcock, as the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2016-17 season, had forced a rookie Mitch Marner to make a list ranking his teammates according to their competitiveness, which he then showed to other players on the team. There have also been allegations that he abused players, particularly Johan Franzen, from his time with the Detroit Red Wings.
With the preseason under way, however, and the news cycle having moved on from the hire, it seemed as though Babcock’s tenure with Edmonton would begin without too much turmoil. That was, at least, until a franchise legend decided to voice his opinion on the matter.
During the ESPN Opening Night media call on Wednesday, Hall of Fame Oiler and six-time Stanley Cup champion Mark Messier shared his deep disappointment in Edmonton’s hiring of Babcock.
“I am 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.”
Messier also shared his criticism about the process that brought Babcock on board, which included a meeting between Babcock and key Oilers players Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman prior to his hiring.
“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.”
Messier summed up his feelings on the hiring with one frank, scathing remark.
“I am just horrified about the whole thing, to be honest with you,” he said. “I could go on and on, but I think you get my point.”
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Those allegations came after reports that Babcock, as the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2016-17 season, had forced a rookie Mitch Marner to make a list ranking his teammates according to their competitiveness, which he then showed to other players on the team. There have also been allegations that he abused players, particularly Johan Franzen, from his time with the Detroit Red Wings.
With the preseason under way, however, and the news cycle having moved on from the hire, it seemed as though Babcock’s tenure with Edmonton would begin without too much turmoil. That was, at least, until a franchise legend decided to voice his opinion on the matter.
During the ESPN Opening Night media call on Wednesday, Hall of Fame Oiler and six-time Stanley Cup champion Mark Messier shared his deep disappointment in Edmonton’s hiring of Babcock.
“I am 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.”
Messier also shared his criticism about the process that brought Babcock on board, which included a meeting between Babcock and key Oilers players Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman prior to his hiring.
“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.”
Messier summed up his feelings on the hiring with one frank, scathing remark.
“I am just horrified about the whole thing, to be honest with you,” he said. “I could go on and on, but I think you get my point.”
Continue reading...