Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman fire back after Mark Messier's harsh criticism of Oilers' Mike Babcock hire
Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman respond after Mark Messier says he is horrified by the Oilers hiring Mike Babcock as head coach.
Mark Messier is not holding back on the Oilers hiring Mike Babcock, and now two of the team's biggest voices have answered him directly.
During Wednesday's ESPN Opening Night media call, the Hall of Fame Oilers legend said he was horrified by the decision, questioning how much input the roster's core players had in bringing Babcock back to an NHL bench for the first time since 2019.
Messier pointed to a lack of separation between the dressing room and the front office.
By Thursday, both Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman were asked about it at Oilers camp in Edmonton.
McDavid keeps it measured
McDavid, the Oilers captain, kept his answer short and respectful, acknowledging that everybody is entitled to their own opinion and that Messier remains one of the greatest to ever play the game.
"Everybody's got their opinion, and obviously he's one of the greats of the game, and he's entitled to his opinion."
- Connor McDavid
- Connor McDavid
Hyman, though, gave a longer and more personal response.
He brought up wearing number 11 for years before switching because of how revered Messier's number is in Edmonton, and he made a point of saying how much respect he still holds for the legend.
At the same time, Hyman pushed back gently, saying the mood inside the Oilers room right now is nothing but positive and inviting Messier to come see camp for himself.
"Listen, everybody has their own opinion. He was number 11. I was number 11 for the longest time, and I couldn't wear the jersey here because he's revered here. He's a legend with the Oilers and in hockey, obviously. So I think that everybody in the game respects him.
"I think if he really wants to see what's going on firsthand, he's more than welcome to come here. I think Oilers fans love him. There's a lot of excitement. There's a lot of positivity here. Nothing but good is happening right now. So to try and spew something negative right now -- I think it's his opinion. Like I said, I have a lot of respect for him, and if he'd like to see what's going on, he's more than welcome to come down."
- Zach Hyman
- Zach Hyman
Camp mood stays upbeat
Neither player sounded rattled by the comments.
Both framed Messier's remarks as one outside voice rather than a crack forming inside the locker room, even as Babcock heads into his first regular season behind an NHL bench since his rocky Columbus exit.
With Edmonton opening the season against Vancouver on Tuesday, the Oilers seem intent on letting their play answer the noise.
For now, the pushback from two of the team's most respected voices suggests the room is staying united behind Babcock, whatever outside opinions keep coming in.
Also read on House Of Hockey :
A major announcement involving the Winnipeg Jets just changed everything
A major announcement involving the Winnipeg Jets just changed everything