Messier’s Comments on Oilers’ Leadership Group Are Wildly Hypocritical

If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all. That is what Mark Messier first said on Wednesday when asked about the Edmonton Oilers’ decision to hire Mike Babcock this offseason. Instead of letting the short quote speak for itself, he went on to blast both Babcock and the decision the Oilers made.

Messier expressed that he was “absolutely shocked” and “horrified” by the hiring, explaining that he has heard stories from many reputable sources about the way Babcock has treated players in the past. The 63-year-old does have a controversial past behind the bench, which is why many, including the Oilers legend himself, were so shocked by the hiring.

Nothing about what Messier said regarding Babcock is unfair or incorrect. Ideally, he wouldn’t be causing yet another media circus for the organization he won five Stanley Cups with, but his comments are what most have been thinking. That said, it was his comments on the Oilers’ leadership group which seemed out of line and, quite frankly, hypocritical.

Messier Voices Displeasure with Oilers’ Hiring Process

In the same interview given on Wednesday, Messier made it clear that he thinks the Oilers’ leadership group has too much say on decisions the organization makes. It was reported and later confirmed that Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman spoke in person with Babcock before he was ultimately hired.

“The way that he was onboarded through the players interviewing him is absolutely something that I’ve never heard of before,” Messier said. “Maybe the game has changed, and that’s the way it’s going. Great. I don’t know. It certainly wasn’t like that.

“I think there has to be a separation of powers on the structural level of any team. I think from the management to the coaching to the players, there has to be a divide. The leadership of your team have 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 the hiring of management and coaches? I don’t understand it.”