Oilers’ Babcock answers Mark Messier’s criticism with measured respect

In Edmonton on Thursday, Oilers head coach Mike Babcock offered a calm response to pointed remarks from franchise legend Mark Messier about his hiring. Messier had openly challenged both the decision to bring Babcock in and the way the organization leaned on its leadership group during the search.

Messier questions players’ role in choosing coach

Speaking on an ESPN NHL Opening Night media call on Wednesday, Messier made it clear he was strongly opposed to the Oilers’ move. He said he was stunned that Edmonton chose Babcock and even more surprised that core players were so involved in interviewing him and effectively shaping the outcome.

Messier’s main concern centred on team structure. He argued that management, coaches and players should operate with clear separation of power, and that the leadership group’s primary responsibility is to shield teammates inside the room. In his view, that duty becomes harder if those same players are directly tied to hiring decisions for coaches and senior staff.

He also raised the scenario of what happens if the partnership with Babcock fails: if leaders help pick the coach, he wondered where teammates can turn when things deteriorate. The comments sparked some debate, especially given Messier’s own influence in coaching changes earlier in his post-playing career.

Babcock highlights Messier’s legacy and past dealings

After Thursday’s morning skate, Babcock struck a respectful tone when asked about Messier’s stance. He acknowledged having seen the comments and said he had shared them with his family, but emphasized that he holds Messier in very high regard.

Babcock pointed to Messier’s iconic status in Edmonton, from the four Stanley Cups he helped win with the Oilers to the training camp team that carries his name. He recalled crossing paths with Messier only a couple of times, including a medal presentation at an Olympic event and a Hall of Fame function, and said both encounters left him impressed with how graciously Messier treated him. Babcock summed it up by saying he has nothing but respect for the Hall of Famer and even praised his television work.

Oilers stars stand behind demanding new bench boss

Since the coaching change was made official, both management and the Oilers’ marquee players have been upfront that the room had a major say in hiring Babcock. Around the team, the prevailing message has been that this is the direction the players wanted, and that they accept the responsibility that comes with it.

On the ice, that choice is already being tested. Early in camp, Babcock called out the group for what he felt was a subpar practice, but Connor McDavid publicly backed the coach’s standard, saying he wants expectations to be as high as possible and that the team needs to respond accordingly.

Leon Draisaitl has described Babcock’s first sessions as intense, noting that the coach insists on details being executed his way. In one early drill, Babcock halted the exercise after seeing Draisaitl cheat for offence, forcing the group to restart. Even so, Draisaitl has expressed excitement about learning under Babcock and believes the players are eager to be pushed.

McDavid has also indicated that the leadership group is prepared to step in if any situation crosses a line, stressing that this would apply with any coach, not just Babcock. General manager Stan Bowman, for his part, has said the organization has clearly outlined that controversial behaviours associated with Babcock’s past will not be tolerated in Edmonton.

As Messier argues for a stricter divide between dressing room and front office, the Oilers are betting on a model where the players’ fingerprints are all over the coaching choice—and where the same players are willing to live with the consequences if it does not work.