The Edmonton Oilers introduced Ken Holland as the new general manager and president of hockey operations on Tuesday afternoon. The Oilers and Holland agreed to a five-year, $25 million contract.
Holland, 63, spent 36 years with the Detroit Red Wings front office. He spent the last 22 years as general manager. During his time he won four Stanley Cups, six Presidents’ Trophies and 16 division championships. Last month the Red Wings promoted Holland as senior vice president but had his general manager position replaced by former Red Wing Steve Yzerman. After a scouting trip to the U-18 World Hockey Championship, Holland wanted to continue as a general manager in the NHL.
“I realized I had the passion, the energy, the enthusiasm, the desire to continue to be a general manager in the National Hockey League.”
New @EdmontonOilers General Manager and President of Hockey Operations Ken Holland explains when he realized he still wanted to be a GM. pic.twitter.com/THZhr8sIXo
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 7, 2019
He will now make the day-to-day decisions for his new team. One of his first tasks will be to find a new head coach. Head coach Ken Hitchcock will not be back with the team next season after replacing fired Todd McLellan in November.
Ken Hitchcock will not return as coach of the Oilers. Ken Holland, who was named general manager and president of hockey operations of the Oilers on Tuesday, made the announcement during a press conference https://t.co/NwWvgqlDWS
— NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) May 7, 2019
Last January the Oilers fired Peter Chiarelli as a general manager. Chiarelli spent four seasons with the club and only made one playoff appearance in 2016-17. The franchise only made the playoffs once since being in the Stanley Cup Final in 2006. They named Keith Gretzky as interim GM for the rest of the season.
Now the Oilers want to build stability and build a team around McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Holland hopes to turn Edmonton into a Stanley Cup contending team for the next decade. One of his biggest accomplishments as a GM was leading the Red Wings to 25 straight playoff appearances. A consistent playoff appearance can make McDavid happy about his career in Edmonton.
Featured Image Credit: Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP
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