It’s official. Ken Holland is the general manager of the Edmonton Oilers.
After nearly a week of speculation and reports that Holland had agreed to take the position, the Oilers finally made it official today. Holland, of course, leaves the Red Wings after an incredible 22 years as the team’s GM.
The Oilers are currently holding a press conference to formally introduce Holland as GM:
Oilers owner Daryl Katz also announced that in addition to his role as GM, Holland will also serve as the team's President of Hockey Operations. Holland reportedly agreed to a five year, $25 million contract with the Oilers.
Now, while no one is questioning Holland’s accomplishments (10 division championships, five conference championships, four President’s Trophies and three Stanley Cups), there’s some concern in Edmonton that Holland’s hiring is just another “Old Boys Club” move from Oilers brass. After all, Holland and the man who hired him, Oilers CEO Bob Nicholson, are close friends from their years of working together for Hockey Canada. While Holland may not be a former Oiler or be related to anyone in the Old Boys Club, there’s still a degree of proximity from him to Nicholson that makes some Oilers fans feel uneasy.
In any case, the Oilers are Holland’s team now. So, what’s his first move?
According to Bruce McCurdy of the Edmonton Journal, Holland will be tasked with relieving some of the salary cap pressure that the team is under, while also helping balance out the team’s top heavy roster. So, what does that mean exactly? It likely means that anyone not named McDavid or Draisaitl is on the table in trade talks.
