Mark Messier slams Oilers' controversial hire of Mike Babcock: 'I am just horrified'

As the NHL season begins, one of the biggest storylines is whether the Edmonton Oilers can finally get Connor McDavid a Stanley Cup. That pressure is ramped up, though, now that Mike Babcock is coaching the team.

Babcock, who led the Red Wings to a Stanley Cup title and coached team Canada to two Olympic gold medals, has been away from the game due to his controversial tactics as head coach. The 63-year-old has been accused of mental abuse by some of his former players, with the NHLPA concerned that he is not fit to coach an NHL team.

Former players have expressed their concerns with the 63-year-old Babcock returning to the NHL, and that includes six-time Stanley Cup champion Mark Messier. The Oilers legend and current ESPN analyst was not shy in addressing his issues with the hire in front of the media.

Here's what Messier had to say about Babcock and the Oilers.

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Mark Messier comments on Mike Babcock

Ahead of the NHL season, Mark Messier addressed a handful of NHL issues during a press conference for ESPN. Most notably, Messier discussed the Oilers controversial decision to hire Mike Babcock as their new head coach, saying he was "horrified" by it.

"I am absolutely shocked they hired him," Messier said, via ESPN. "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."

Babcock comes with baggage, as he resigned from the Blue Jackets before ever coaching a game due to poor conduct that included asking players to share with him personal pictures from their phones. Before then, though, Babcock has a history of coaching players too hard, both with the Red Wings and with the Maple Leafs, to the point where the NHL had to clear him in order for him to take the Oilers job.

Messier's comments, however, also hinted at Oilers stars like Connor McDavid having a significant role in Babcock's hiring. Therefore, Messier specifically took issue with the power structure within the Oilers organization, and that is especially concerning with a controversial coach like Babcock.

"I think there has to be a separation of powers on the structural level of any team," he added. "I think from the management to the coaching to the players, there has to be a divide. The leadership of your team has 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 hiring of the management and coaches? If it does go bad and players are having difficulties, who do they turn to? Because if they turn to the leadership, the leadership is management. There's no separation there."

In his 25-year NHL career, Messier spent 12 with the Oilers, which included winning five of his six Stanley Cup titles with the organization. His opinion could hold heavier weight due to his connection with the team.

Messier is one of ESPN's main hockey analysts, so he will be able to address the Oilers situation over the course of the season.