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Ivory CoastHyman Invites Messier to See Babcock's Oilers First Hand
Zach Hyman has responded to Mark Messier's criticism of the Edmonton Oilers hiring Mike Babcock, inviting the team legend to see their positive environment.
An Invitation for a Legend
Edmonton Oilers forward Zach Hyman has responded to criticism from franchise legend Mark Messier. Messier recently admitted he was horrified by the team's decision to hire controversial head coach Mike Babcock.
In response, Hyman invited the Hall of Famer to visit the team and see their current environment for himself. Hyman noted that there is a lot of excitement and positivity around the team right now.
Hyman has a lot of respect for Messier, who spent 12 seasons with the Oilers. Hyman even wore the number 11 throughout his career before coming to Edmonton, where the number is retired in honor of Messier. Hyman said that everyone in the game respects him, but added that Messier is more than welcome to come down if he wants to see what is going on first hand.
Messier's Concerns and Babcock's Past
Messier spoke out against the hiring after the Oilers replaced Kris Knoblauch. Knoblauch led Edmonton to back-to-back Stanley Cup finals before the team suffered a first-round exit last season.
Messier stated he was shocked by the hire due to the stories he has heard from reputable people regarding how Babcock treated players. Babcock has won a Stanley Cup with Detroit and two Olympic gold medals with Canada, but his career has been clouded by allegations of mental abuse.
Former Red Wings player Johan Franzen previously accused Babcock of verbal attacks that led to an emotional breakdown. Additionally, Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan called Babcock's coaching tactics inappropriate and unacceptable when the coach was fired in 2019. During his time in Toronto, Babcock also reportedly asked Mitch Marner to rank his teammates in confidence, only to share that information with the other players.
Recent Controversies and NHL Clearance
Babcock was hired by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023 but resigned before coaching a single game. His departure came after an investigation into allegations that he violated player privacy by asking to see their cellphone camera rolls.
Despite these past incidents, the NHL cleared the way for the Oilers to hire him this past June. The league stated that its investigation concluded there was no current basis to restrict Babcock's employment.
Now, the Oilers are moving forward under their new coach. While Messier remains skeptical, Hyman insists the atmosphere in Edmonton is positive as the team prepares for the upcoming season.
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