The Edmonton Oilers made a meaningful change in leadership over the summer, as they fired head coach Kris Knoblauch and assistant Mark Stuart, and in their place, hired Mike Babcock and DJ Smith.The move was met with considerable skepticism, considering…
Former Edmonton Oilers captain Mark Messier expressed strong criticism regarding the team's decision to hire Mike Babcock as head coach. Speaking on ESPN, Messier stated that he was shocked and horrified by the move, citing past allegations and reports concerning how Babcock treated players in previous coaching roles.
Messier also questioned the involvement and endorsements of Oilers star players Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman during the hiring process. He emphasized the necessity of maintaining a structural divide between management and dressing room leadership, cautioning that player involvement in coaching hires complicates internal team dynamics.
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