Former GM Holland comments on Red Wings’ struggles

Earlier this week, the Red Wings faced the Edmonton Oilers for the second time this season. The first encounter between the two teams ended with a 2-1 victory for the Oilers. On Tuesday however, the Wings snapped an 8 game losing streak by beating the Oilers 3-1.

Former Detroit GM Ken Holland, now GM of the Edmonton Oilers, had a few comments about his old team and their recent struggles ahead of the game between the Wings and the Oilers. He also spoke about his last few years in Detroit.

"The last couple of years, I felt the fans’ frustrations. Certainly our expectations in making decisions were to put a better team on the ice.", he said before justifying himself. "Every franchise seems to go through a rebuilding in a salary cap world. Teams that were once great, those teams are in rebuild modes, and that’s just the nature of a salary cap world."

Holland continued by saying that "the (Detroit) fan base really cares and they live and die with your team." He added that there are always emotions involved when that is the case. "We eventually have to make decisions taking the emotions out.", he explained about some of the decisions that he made during his last few seasons as the Red Wings' GM.

It is quite obvious that Ken Holland still has love and respect for the Red Wings organization. "That’s sports and I respect the passion; that’s what makes these franchises great.", commented the GM, adding that he believes the Wings are in capable hands under the direction of team legend Steve Yzerman. "I hold him in the highest regard as a person, player and general manager."

He also says that his former team is in a better situation at the moment than when he left. "I feel good about lots of the young players in Detroit. There are a lot of draft picks, the salary cap money was starting to free up.", he said.

Holland concludes by empathizing with Red wings fans. "The reality is rebuilds are painful and pretty well every franchise in the league at some point in time has to go through it." He then proceeds to invite fans to trust the process despite how difficult it can be: "(...) a rebuild takes time and patience, and it’s hard on a fan base."

Although Holland's comments may be accurate and difficult to hear for some. For others, they may be reassuring. One thing that can be taken away from his words is that he may have underestimated his former team as they took care of business against his new one.