This team was left in a disaster state after the Chiarelli strip mining final days were Ol' Yellered mercy euthanized. It's taken three+ years and epic loss of 2 top 4 defenders (Klefbom, Larsson) to stage out building depth at all positions, forward, defense and goaltending. The trade deadline finally added that top end veteran d-man and pterodactyl sized utility bottom right shooting centreman/winger.
We now see the big, rangy d-corp that Holland prefers. High quality forwards depth that extends scoring options well beyond McDavid and Draisaitl along with a bigger, more versatile skilled bottom six who are not leaky and vulnerable to outscoring by opposition. Found gold with rookie Skinner in net while the big money veteran tender struggles massively. And a savvy early extension to Skinner to lock in a value battery mate tandem goaltender price for the next 3 window years. Not every GM move will be good, it's simply not realistic and impossible, but Holland has navigated this franchise to be a legitimate, deep team from the mess left him. The Oil were in big trouble and in the wrong hands could have seriously gone pear shape.
Some posters speculated Holland would have an intrusive management approach with a rookie coach. That some of Woodcroft's personnel decisions would be driven from above with a meddling Holland. The quotes below and article link reinforce Holland's management philosophy which have steered him well through a long career. I think his relationship skills, trust, communication and respect (including boundaries) are among the best attributes that have enabled a long, successful career.
It's great to finally come out the other end of an epic decade of incompetence. Holland's steady, respected approach is a massive part in finally putting the pieces together for sustaining success.
“I told Woody (coach Jay Woodcroft) when I hired him his mandate as a coach is to win and I would manage around whatever decisions he made,” said Holland. “He doesn’t have to play a certain player because he’s a draft pick. He doesn’t have to play a certain player because I signed him (as a free agent). He doesn’t have to play anybody because I traded for him.”
“Most nights, Philip is playing closer to 10 minutes if we’re dressing seven defencemen. Jay likes the 11-7 and sometimes in a game maybe somebody (defencemen) isn’t playing so good or somebody gets hurt, then he’s got that defenceman (Broberg) there,” said Holland.
“I guess my response is we’re trying to win. If the coaches, (Dave) Manson and Jay feel we’re better served if it’s Broberg or somebody else who only plays four minutes, so be it.”
Holland is the ultimate, extremely patient GM, especially with blueliners.
“It’s a tough job especially for kids, whether you’re a defenceman or a first-round pick (and not playing much). Broberg’s got aspirations to pitch in and provide some offence. But what’s happening with Philip … it’s like (Evan) Bouchard two years ago.”
“He (Broberg) wants a bigger role and I’m sure he would like to be playing 15 minutes and I think we’d be fine with that. But practising every day with us, we think he’ll be ready to get in the games. If we get an injury to a defenceman, he’s going in (top six). We’re trying to keep his feet wet.”
Mattias Ekholm has 11 points in 18 games for the Oilers, after recording only 18 points in 57 games with Nashville before the trade.
edmontonsun.com
