General manager Ken Holland and the Edmonton Oilers mutually decided to end their association on Thursday. He will leave the team when his contract expires on 1is July.
Oilers president Jeff Jackson will step in during the search for a successor.
“Ken was a real pleasure to work with. He’s an extraordinary human being,” Jackson said of his former colleague. “When Ken and I sat down yesterday to formalize a discussion we had earlier this season, it was clear that the best option was to part ways.”
“He was ready to move on and we were ready to change direction. We had a one-hour meeting. I want to thank him for everything he has given us personally and professionally this year.”
Holland was named GM and president of hockey operations for the Oilers on May 7, 2019, replacing Peter Chiarelli, after 22 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings. He helped the Red Wings win the Presidents’ Trophy five times (2002, 2004, 2006, 2008) and the Stanley Cup four times (1997, 1998, 2002, 2008).
Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder in 2020, the British Columbian put together the 2023-24 Stanley Cup finalist Oilers team. Edmonton lost in seven games to the Florida Panthers in the grand final.
His biggest move was acquiring defenseman Mattias Ekholm from the Nashville Predators in exchange for Tyson Barrie, Reid Schaefer and two draft picks. Mattias Ekholm had five goals and five assists in the last playoffs and was the second most used defenseman by Kris Knoblauch, behind Evan Bouchard.
“The Ekholm trade changed our trajectory,” Jackson said. Ekky brings us so much leadership, competitiveness, a mentor figure… He allowed us to mouth (Bouchard) to improve. They make a solid duo. »
It was also Holland who signed Zach Hyman for seven years and US$38.5 million ($5.5 million/season) in 2021. Hyman took first place among NHL scorers in the playoffs by hitting the target 16 times. He scored 54 goals in the regular season, the third highest total on the circuit.
“It was a brilliant signing. Not only has Hyman improved every year as a goal scorer, but he has also developed his leadership. Everyone around the team knows what a good person he is,” the president said.
Jackson added that he does not plan to take on the role of GM on a permanent basis. The search for a successor begins now.
Rick Pracey, director of scouting, will lead the draft for the Oilers, who have no picks in the first, third or fourth rounds.
“We have our work cut out for us,” Jackson said. Our long playoff run means we don’t have much time to operate. We have our own unrestricted free agents to deal with, we have the draft, we have the free agency market…and I have to find a new general manager. »
Even though he had suspected Holland’s departure for some time, the president of the Oilers did not want to begin the process of finding a successor until the season was over. Both men did not want to be a distraction to the players.
“We knew our hands were tied if we finished our playoffs late,” Jackson said. “We couldn’t talk to other potential general managers and ask permission from other teams to talk to them while we were playing. In this league, everything becomes public knowledge very quickly.
“Obviously, I had plans in mind with this possibility of having very little time to complete the process. During the next few weeks, I will do what I have to do.”
Seven Oilers forwards eligible for full autonomy on 1is July; Connor Brown, Sam Carrick, Warren Foegele, Sam Gagner, Adam Henrique, Mattias Janmark and Corey Perry, as well as defensemen Vincent Desharnais and Troy Stecher.
Goaltender Calvin Pickard should also be free as the air and Jackson will have to make a decision on Jack Campbell, sent to the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL on November 9. He hasn’t been back with the big club since.
There are three seasons remaining on the five-year, $25 million contract he signed with Holland on July 13, 2022.
“We are evaluating all options regarding Jack,” Jackson said. “At this point, we are not planning a buyout, but we are considering everything.”
Star striker Leon Draisaitl is entering the final year of his contract and could test the market as early as next summer.
“With all due respect to Leon, we have not started negotiations with him. I might see his agent Mike Liut this week at the draft and we’ll have a discussion. But it’s important that the next general manager is in place before those conversations intensify,” concluded the Oilers president.
