Ken Holland was not the Oilers' first choice.

If you are one of the many Edmonton Oilers fans who are not particularly happy with the news today that former Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland will be the next general manager of the Oilers, this story might make things even worse for you. 

For starters let us be clear here, there is almost no question that this was a solid hire by Bob Nicholson and the Edmonton Oilers. There are plenty of reasons to be skeptical about Holland's recent track record it's true but the wealth of experience he brings to the table, both at the international and National Hockey League levels, were simply not going to be matched by any of the candidates that the Oilers reportedly interviewed. The Oilers are one of the most dysfunctional teams in the NHL at the moment from an organizational perspective and a loud, strong and experienced voice like Holland could be exactly what they need to turn things around. Additionally reports are that Holland demanded autonomy in his role as part of this deal, and that to me sounds like he will be shutting out any interference from the "Old Boys Club" in Edmonton.

All that being said though as it turns out it may not have been experience that the Oilers favored in this situation. Earlier today Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal mounted a defense of Bob Nicholson and the search he conducted for a new general manager. While doing so however Leavins revealed that the Oilers attempted to get another man for the job prior to making the offer to Holland. 

From the Edmonton Journal:

I simply don’t agree with the criticism that Bob Nicholson did not conduct a thorough search for this position. Mr. Nicholson interviewed over a dozen NHL executives for the position. The only name that I can think of that was not signed and gainfully employed when the search began that he did not speak to in some way, shape or form was Steve Yzerman. And we all know that Stevie Y was predestined to land in Detroit. When I ask detractors who they think Nicholson has missed the response is most often a name that indeed WAS on the list…or silence. As for Kelly McCrimmon, I am made to understand that he and the Oilers were “this close” to a deal when Vegas stepped up. And that’s when Nicholson circled back to Ken Holland and got it done.

McCrimmon of course was promoted by the Las Vegas Golden Knights to the general manager's position within their own organization after George McPhee step aside as general manager, although he will remain on as team president. It seems that this move by the Golden Knights may have been a direct response to an offer made by the Oilers, and it also indicates that Ken Holland is not the man the Oilers would have preferred for the job.