Zach Hyman speaks out on the controversy surrounding the Mike Babcock hire.

The Edmonton Oilers stunned many across the National Hockey League earlier this summer when they announced the hiring of controversial and polarizing NHL head coach Mike Babcock. Babcock has had his fair share of controversies during his time in the league and that became very obvious the moment the move was rumored to be in the works.

The Oilers have faced significant backlash over the decision but despite that it is a decision the organization has chosen to move forward with and appears to be a decision that is supported by the team's very best players. On Monday morning we were treated to the latest example of that when Oilers forward Zach Hyman spoke out about the hire and had nothing but good things to say about it.

"I think as an organization we all wanted to find the right person for the job," revealed Hyman on TSN's First Up.

He also praised the Oilers other coaching move, the hiring of DJ Smith as an associate coach under Babcock.

"Bringing in DJ as well really cements our coaching staff as one of the best in the league," said Hyman.

Hyman was in a unique position when it comes to this move as someone who had played under both Babcock and Smith before, but it was clear that Hyman walked away from their time together with the Toronto Maple Leafs with positive feelings about both men.

Although his own experience was a good one, Hyman did express that he was happy Babcock had been cleared by the league following an investigation.

"It was really important that the NHL and the NHLPA did the process that they needed to do," admitted Hyman.

While Hyman had his own personal experience to draw from, it sounds like he reached out to other players around the league and felt there would be no issues with Babcock in Edmonton.

"As players you talk to other players and you get a sense for things around the league... I think as players we were all comfortable with Babs and what he brought," said Hyman. "It's something that's gonna be really good for our group, he's somebody who we need and somebody who can take us to the next level."

Only time will tell if Hyman is right about his newest head coach.