Holland left the next guy with some extremely hard decisions to make.
Since Holland created a buyout proof deal, along with massive overpay and NMC for Nurse's contract, he probably left the biggest pile of garbage that any Oilers GM has left behind, plus Campbell.
The cost to replace is almost a no-brainer for both these guys. Broberg + a solid 4-5M RHD is probably better than Nurse + Broberg on his off side. a 5M D + Nurse's 2.3M retained is 2M cheaper than Nurse's contract. That's 2M to improve the team still.
Campbell, replacement is probably a league minimum backup goalie. You save 3.9M buying Campbell out. That's 3M extra to improve the team.
This needs to end with the current GM's decisions, but sadly, for now it has to continue because of the last GM's decisions. We could improve our cap situation by $5M with zero loss to performance if we could trade Nurse with 25% retained and buyout Campbell. Gotta find that RHD of course, so we better get a GM that can make moves like Zito did for Florida.
Let's be real here, pretty much every GM starts with problems that need fixing. Holland definitely lefts this team better than he found it. You could definitely make the argument that whoever steps in right now has the 2nd best team to work with despite some of the problems/signings.
Realistically, the new GM only has a few moves to make. Yes those moves might be hard to pull off but the core is here.
With respect to Zito, I think if he stepped aside today the GM placing him would be in a worse situation than here. Holland keeping Broberg and Holloway is absolutely massive. Florida by comparison has traded away most of their picks, prospects and young guys. They have to sign like half their team including core guys.