Dreger: Edmonton has offered Ken Holland another position within the Organization. Not part of drafting in Vegas though.

[thegazelle]

Flip side:
The Oilers failed to make the SCF in the past 3 years when they had the best 2 players on the planet, because of a poorly constructed roster that was almost entirely Hollands fault.

Even this year, the Oilers faced the absolute easiest road to the WCF in very long time. The Oil lose Game 7 to the Canucks against the back up goalie, that is a massive failure

The only really good signing was Hyman. All other moves, even Ekholm, are trades/signings any compotent GM should be doing

Holland was not a terrible Gm, but he was merely OK. Merely OK is only going ot get you some moderate playoff success, its not going to get you cups

Fair points.

But perhaps it may be considered that this is not unlike the Leafs' structure - relying on two "superstars" as a strategy is definitely on the coach and GM. Like the Leafs, the Oilers need strong defense and goaltending to supplement and even more importantly, complement their big name stars. But this change in methodology would and should be initially driven by the GM, so you may be right, that a new voice is needed, but even in the finals, we can see the folly of relying so heavily on two guys to pull the weight. Unless that structure / strategy changes, I suspect any GM maintaining that will yield similar results.

 

[TheDoldrums]

Disgraceful treatment of a hockey legend by the Oilers.

Holland after leading the Oil to game 7 of the Finals…

So now they have no real experience in the front office, deciding that “knowing McDavid” was the most important quality in a decision maker. Sad.

 

[Love]

Ekholm transformed the Oilers from pretender to contender.

This is really only year two of the contention window and they made it to game 7 of the finals.

The disrespect to Holland is crazy.

If it’s only year two then this contention window he created is incredibly small. It could be over in a year if Drai leaves.

 

[Telos]

Perfect. Now that Holland is gone, Edmonton can hire Marc Bergevin to make this spectacularly entertaining

 

[GMR]

Ken Holland is a great hockey man, who yes, I agree the game has passed by a bit, but he's still has a very large body of work and success before recently. I want him back in Detroit as an advisor to Yzerman, regardless of some bad decisions with Detroit at the end.

No thank you. Holland was lucky to inherit a superteam in Detroit and a big bankroll to play with. Also lucky to be surrounded by Jim Devellano and Jim Nill. His draft record has been pitiful for over a decade. Don’t want him involved with the team anymore.

 

[Mirka the Turka]

Oilers should hire Ray Shero

 

[Malkinstheman]

Oilers dodged a major bullet. Just dont hire another scrub like Bowman

 

[Dolemite]

Ekholm transformed the Oilers from pretender to contender.

This is really only year two of the contention window and they made it to game 7 of the finals.

The disrespect to Holland is crazy.

This. Especially after a Cup final round.

 

[Suntouchable13]

His body of work seems underwhelming, nothing special. Put a bunch of monkeys in a room and give them a computer, they could lead the Oilers to the exact same outcome. Ok, I am just kidding on that part but the point is that Holland has been a disappointment for them overall.

 

[Gil Gunderson]

 

[NOTENOUGHRYJOTHINGS]

If it’s only year two then this contention window he created is incredibly small. It could be over in a year if Drai leaves.

Look at the defense the Oilers used as recently as the 2022 season. That's not a contender.

 

[FissionFire]

He refused to step aside into a different role in Detroit. Be interesting to see if he’s ready to that now in Edmonton.

 

[Czechboy]

Good bye.. don't come back.

 

[The Panther]

Why should Edmonton be concerned about saving Holland's face when he cost the Oilers a ton of Mcdavids prime years.

Sorry, but what the hell are you talking about here?

During Holland's era, the Oilers
-- made the playoffs 5 times out of 5 years
-- won 6 playoff series in three years
-- won the Western Conference championship
-- were 3rd best NHL team in regulation wins (only Colorado and Boston ahead of them)
-- were 7th best in win percentage
-- had maybe the greatest five-year PP in history at 28.5%

Holland made a few errors (as every GM in history has), to be sure -- we pause here to remember Nurse's contract-term and the Campbell signing -- but he also made plenty of good moves that put them into a competitive position.

 

[Czechboy]

Next year we are paying near 20 million for Campbell, Nurse, James Neal and Brown (who isn't on our roster)

Holland, in 5 years, added Hyman and Ek who were both exceptional additions. However, that is 2 guys in 5 years.

f*** him!

 

[PeE eL DuBoiS]

Ekholm transformed the Oilers from pretender to contender.

This is really only year two of the contention window and they made it to game 7 of the finals.

The disrespect to Holland is crazy.

Nice try, Ken.