EDMONTON — The Edmonton Oilers face a busy period without a general manager to guide them. The team announced Thursday that Ken Holland will not be returning as GM after his five-year contract expired.
Oilers’ CEO of hockey operations, Jeff Jackson, noted that this decision had been planned all season and wasn’t unexpected. However, with the Oilers reaching Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final and their season ending with a 2-1 loss to Florida on Monday, Jackson acknowledges the team is now under pressure with the NHL draft and free agency looming and no GM in place.
Jackson explained that they couldn’t discuss potential new GMs during the playoffs due to the necessity of seeking permissions from other teams. He and Holland had agreed to keep the GM position discussions private to avoid distracting the players.
“But now we move on,” Jackson said, emphasizing the amount of work ahead. The Oilers need to address their own unrestricted free agents, prepare for the draft, and handle free agency. Finding a new GM is also a priority.
One significant concern is the future of star forward Leon Draisaitl, who will be eligible for restricted free agency after next season. Jackson stated that extension talks with Draisaitl would wait until a new GM is appointed but doesn’t feel urgent pressure regarding this.
For now, Jackson will serve as the interim GM until Holland’s replacement is found. He is confident the team will manage the upcoming challenges with their current front-office staff.
Jackson, who has no intention of being the permanent GM, has started reaching out to potential candidates, though he expects a bit of a wait due to their roles in other organizations. He aims to find the right person for the job.
Jackson praised Holland’s tenure in Edmonton, highlighting their collaborative relationship. Although they didn’t discuss extending Holland’s contract, it was understood that it was time for a change. Before joining Edmonton, Holland spent 22 seasons as GM of the Detroit Red Wings, winning three Stanley Cups.
Under Holland’s leadership, the Oilers saw periods of both promise and struggle. The team faced criticism for being top-heavy and having unresolved goaltending issues. Despite setbacks, such as early playoff exits and a rough start this season, the Oilers showed significant improvement, ending with strong goaltending and a deep lineup.
Jackson concluded by affirming Holland’s positive impact, especially evident in the team’s performance by the end of the season.