JR Ewing Posted May 17 Share Posted May 17 Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland to Columbus? Rumours won't quiet down, says NHL insider Published May 16, 2024 • Last updated 1 hour ago • 2 minute read New CEO of hockey operations for the Edmonton Oilers Jeff Jackson and Oilers' general manager and president of hockey operations Ken Holland pose for a photo during a news conference to announce Jackson's hiring at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Thursday Aug. 3, 2023. Photo by David Bloom /Postmedia This in from NHL insider Andy Strickland: “Ken Holland to CBJ rumors don’t seem to quiet down anytime soon. Maybe a long run to the Final would change things but there are many who feel he could be headed to Columbus to fill their GM vacancy. Mentor Rick Nash to eventually take over?” My take 1. This is a credible rumour on a few levels. First of all, Strickland is a credible source, a long-time writer on the NHL, the St. Louis Blues Rinkside Report for Bally Sports Midwest and host of 590 the Fan KFNS, co-host of the Cam & Strick podcast. 2. It’s also credible because Ken Holland’s contract is up in Edmonton after this season. Jeff Jackson has moved in as the big boss of Edmonton Oilers hockey operations. I could see Holland staying on as a senior advisor, but Jackson has now had the entire season to learn the ropes from Holland. It’s hard to imagine that Jackson would not now prefer his own man and a younger man in the G.M. job. Related 3. Perhaps Holland would prefer a move stateside. He spent a lot of his life in Michigan. He might not be ready to fully retire. He could take a general manager job, or maybe he’d like to lead hockey ops. Who says he’s too old? Lou Lamoriello is 81 and he’s still the hockey boss for the New York Islanders. Jim Rutherford, a big cheese in Vancouver, is 75. Holland is just 68. Why retire when you’re having fun? This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 4. It’s too early to do a full assessment of Holland’s time with the Oilers. Much depends on this playoff run. There have been moves that failed, such as trading for Andreas Athanasiou and over-paying on a few deals, most notably the Jack Campbell contract. There’s been some moves that have worked out well, such as signing Zach Hyman, trading for Brett Kulak and Mattias Ekholm, and taking a chance on Evander Kane when so many other NHL GMs were too cautious and/or too politically correct to give the notorious Kane another chance. The story of Holland’s Oilers, though, is yet to be fully written, with a crucial chapter going into the books tonight. https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/edmonton-oilers-gm-ken-holland-to-columbus-rumours-wont-quiet-down-says-nhl-insider Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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