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Edmonton Oilers rumors: Ken Holland linked to general manager vacancy

By Dave Stevenson

DETROIT, MI - APRIL 07: Detroit Red Wings General Manger Ken Holland addresses the media regarding his two year contract extension prior to an NHL game against the New York Islanders at Little Caesars Arena on April 7, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - APRIL 07: Detroit Red Wings General Manger Ken Holland addresses the media regarding his two year contract extension prior to an NHL game against the New York Islanders at Little Caesars Arena on April 7, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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According to Elliotte Friedman, the Edmonton Oilers have interest in hiring Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland if the Wings move on from him.

The Edmonton Oilers currently have a general manager vacancy. Keith Gretzky is holding down the role on an interim basis. The Oilers will go into the offseason looking for a full-time replacement. While Gretzky himself has not been ruled out, team CEO Bob Nicholson will do an extensive search. One of those candidates he interviews could be current Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland.

According to Elliotte Friedman in his latest 31 Thoughts column, there will definitely be interest in him if the Red Wings move on from him.

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Of course, Holland is currently employed and has a year left on his contract after this one. His availability likely depends on what happens with Steve Yzerman. The former Tampa Bay Lightning general manager stepped down from his role and will be through with his commitment to the Lightning after this season.

Yzerman used to play for the Red Wings and was even a part of their front office at some point. If he wants a job with his former team, it’s hard to see them saying no. Yzerman would most likely step in as the President of Hockey Operations if he joins the Red Wings.

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Holland has been Detroit’s general manager since 1997. Under him, the Red Wings have won three Stanley Cups (1998, 2002, 2008). Additionally, Holland was the goaltending coach and assistant general manager of the 1997 Stanley Cup Champions.

Their interest in him makes sense. After all, Nicholson has worked with Hockey Canada and so has Holland. He has served as Team Canada’s assistant general manager for the 2010 Winter Olympics and 2014 Winter Olympics. Nicholson served as the president of Hockey Canada from 1998 to 2014.

The Oilers would be wise to look elsewhere. Sure, Holland would be an outside the organization hire, which is a must for their next general manager. However, he has the Red Wings in an extremely unfavorable salary cap situation, which has led to their demise.

Do the Oilers really need a general manager who has struggled to rebuild his team? What Edmonton needs is a more modern, savvy general manager. Holland would be more of the same for the Oilers, who have missed 12 of the past 13 postseasons.

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It will be interesting to see how Edmonton fills out their front office. Holland might be a part of the solution, but the Oilers better surround him with the right guys. And, more importantly, he has to show he’s learned from his past mistakes and is the right guy to lead the team into the future.

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