Ken Holland, the general manager who built the roster that took the Edmonton Oilers to the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, will not be returning.
Holland’s Time In Edmonton Is Over
Only three days after losing Game 7 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final to the Florida Panthers, the Oilers have announced that they will not be renewing Holland’s contract.
“Over the past five seasons as general manager, Ken has not only built the Edmonton Oilers into one of the NHL’s best teams, but he has also established a deeply rooted foundation of success and a culture of winning that will continue well into the future,” Oilers CEO of hockey operations Jeff Jackson said in a statement Thursday. “Thanks in large part for Ken’s outstanding work, Edmonton has become a destination city for players around the National Hockey League.”
The Hall of Famer Brought A Reputation With Him To Edmonton
Before joining the Oilers in 2019, Holland had spent 34 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings. Under Holland as the general manager, the Red Wings would win three Stanley Cups. Holland’s success in Detroit made him attractive to the Oilers. Furthermore, his success earned him an election to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2020 as a builder.
The Western Conference Champions Have Holland To Thank
The Oilers hired Holland to build a contending team around their two generational talents, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaital.
Over the course of Holland’s four seasons with the Oilers, he added players to build a core that made the Oilers contenders. One of the more notable acquisitions was Zach Hyman, who has developed into a star in the league. Hyman scored a career-high 54 goals this past season. Another notable acquisition was Evander Kane, who overcame injuries and a rocky end in San Jose to return to a goal scorer.
In addition to who Holland brought in, the Oilers also had many players within the organization rise to the occasion. Evan Bouchard, Vincent Desharnais, Ryan McLeod, and Stuart Skinner all had big impacts on the Oilers success.
Holland Fell Short Of The Ultimate Goal
Holland was brought in to help the Oilers win their first Stanley Cup since 1990. While the Oilers were always a playoff team during Holland’s tenure, the team fell short of winning the Stanley Cup.
The team got close a few times. In 2022, the Oilers reached the Western Conference Final before being swept by the Colorado Avalanche. And, of course, the Oilers reached the Stanley Cup Final this year, rallied from a 3-0 series deficit, only to lose Game 7 and see their dream end.
Holland’s Track Record Should Interest Teams
While Holland’s time in Edmonton is over, there is no reason to believe that Holland’s time in the NHL is over. Despite falling short of the ultimate goal, Holland did take the Oilers to the next step. Furthermore, his success in Detroit and his place in the Hockey Hall of Fame should interest teams who are seeking a new voice in their organization.
Main Photo: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports
