Oilers legend Mark Messier releases ‘horrified' statement on Mike Babcock

Messier told reporters he's absolutely shocked the team made the move, pointing to the stream of stories he's heard from credible people about how players were treated during Babcock's previous stops behind an NHL bench.

The comments come months after Babcock was officially introduced as the 19th head coach in franchise history, taking over for Kris Knoblauch, who was let go in May following back to back trips to the Stanley Cup Final that ended short.

Babcock's hiring was never going to be quiet.

He resigned from the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023 without coaching a single game after backlash over asking players to show him personal photos on their phones, a situation that triggered an NHLPA investigation before he was eventually cleared to return to coaching.

Messier isn't just some outside voice.

He won five Stanley Cups in Edmonton and remains one of the most respected leadership figures the sport has ever produced, so when he questions a hire like this, people around the league listen.

He also raised a bigger concern, saying he's never seen a process where players are asked to sign off on a coaching candidate, arguing that protecting the roster should fall on management rather than putting players in that position.

Connor McDavid and the Oilers open their regular season next week, and every word out of Babcock's camp will be scrutinized early.

Whether his relationship with the room holds up under pressure is the question the entire organization now has to answer.

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