Mark Messier, who had a Hall of Fame career with the Edmonton Oilers, said he was "horrified" by the team's hiring of controversial coach Mike Babcock. "I am absolutely shocked they hired him," Messier, now an ESPN studio analyst, said during a conference call Wednesday promoting the upcoming NHL season. "I'm absolutely shocked from the stories that I heard from very good, reputable, character people about the way they were treated. It's been no secret."

The Oilers hired Babcock, 63, to replace Kris Knoblauch. Babcock's legacy of success, which includes a Stanley Cup win with the Detroit Red Wings and two Olympic gold medals with Canada, has been tarnished by accusations of mental abuse by players. Former Red Wings star Johan Franzen said the coach's "verbal attacks" led to an emotional breakdown. In 2023, Babcock was hired by Columbus, but never coached a game after violating players' privacy.

Babcock was hired by the Oilers in collaboration with the team's veteran stars Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman, who all personally vetted him. "They've earned the right to have a voice. We sought that and we decided," said Jeff Jackson, the team's CEO of hockey operations. Messier took issue with that approach, saying he had "never heard" of players interviewing a coaching candidate. "I think there has to be a separation of powers on the structural level of any team," he said.