Ken Holland expected to accept Oilers GM Position

[The Red Line]

He was good for a long time. But I think the past 2 years have shown that he may not have it anymore and is not the right guy to rebuild a team any longer. Even Detroit sees that.

Huh? He's been amazing the past few years. Everything he's done with the unbelievably cap-friendly RFA contracts, the strong drafting, the very good trades that have easily been in Detroit's favor.

The only reasons people condemn Holland goes back to when he failed to sign Suter and Parise (how well is that working out for MN right now?) and because he overpaid a few veterans... even though those contracts are all expiring soon and the team has well over 20mil in cap space so those bloated UFA contracts don't actually hurt the team at all.

People will keep the narrative going though, whatever it takes to demean a team that you don't like.

 

[ManwithNoIdentity]

Just signed a multi year extension as senior VP so he’s not going anywhere

Huh? He's been amazing the past few years. Everything he's done with the unbelievably cap-friendly RFA contracts, the strong drafting, the very good trades that have easily been in Detroit's favor.

The only reasons people condemn Holland goes back to when he failed to sign Suter and Parise (how well is that working out for MN right now?) and because he overpaid a few veterans... even though those contracts are all expiring soon and the team has well over 20mil in cap space so those bloated UFA contracts don't actually hurt the team at all.

People will keep the narrative going though, whatever it takes to demean a team that you don't like.

Please stop acting like KH is a saint and has done no wrong and that he’s not above criticism , even longtime fans agree that Holland has made some huge mistakes

Yes he’s adapted the last few years with the draft and getting some great young players and even then he had help from the scouting staff

 

[Oddbob]

He was good for a long time. But I think the past 2 years have shown that he may not have it anymore and is not the right guy to rebuild a team any longer. Even Detroit sees that.

His moves the past 2 seasons have been amazing for the Wings rebuild, and this is from a Wings fan who wanted a GM change, whether it was Yzerman or other. He has done a great job setting up Stevie with lots of picks and good young players.

3 to 5 years ago he added some terrible contracts to keep us "competitive, but the past 2+ seasons, he has done a great job, that is right I say great job. The keeping us competitive and playoff bound was also what the Illitch's wanted, so he was simply doing what was asked of him. Mike Illitch wanted a competitive team, not a rebuilding team.

 

[SimonEdvinssonAtSix]

Please stop acting like KH is a saint and has done no wrong and that he’s not above criticism , even longtime fans agree that Holland has made some huge mistakes

Yes he’s adapted the last few years with the draft and getting some great young players and even then he had help from the scouting staff

I would hope the GM had help from the scouting staff, that's why he hired them. If you're going to try and discredit Holland for using the people he put in place you will despise Yzerman.
Yzerman will also put people in positions and let them do their jobs, take advice from them and make decisions with their help.

 

[Phil120362]

He's going to Seattle.

And you can write that check and take it to the bank.

Holland has the best job possible. Respect, good pay, responsibilities probably include keeping the office liquor cabinet well stocked and showing up to watch hockey games once in awhile.

This!

 

[Zerotonine]

Well, he's already apparently decided to run away screaming from Edmonton, per Dreger:
https://www.tsn.ca/holland-withdraws-from-oilers-gm-search-1.1293167

Oh wow another thread with shots fired at Edmonton

 

[Dotter]

Oh wow another threat with shots fired at Edmonton

Does Edmonton have bad ownership?

 

[Zerotonine]

Does Edmonton have bad ownership?

Double edged sword to be honest. Ownership saved the team. Built new arena and revitalized downtown.

But he is still letting clowns run the circus.

Bad ownership? No I don't think so. But horrible management. Some will say one leads to the other I suppose. Time will tell this off season

 

[Cor]

The extension is interesting, especially with the speculation that Seattle may hire their GM this summer. However it certainly doesn't prevent Holland from moving on I'm sure.

Perhaps he is perfectly content working with Yzerman and staying in Detroit. Not a bad situation to stay in.

 

[AKAChip]

Well, he's already apparently decided to run away screaming from Edmonton, per Dreger:
https://www.tsn.ca/holland-withdraws-from-oilers-gm-search-1.1293167

Big break for the Oilers.

 

[bobholly39]

Holland has the best job possible. Respect, good pay, responsibilities probably include keeping the office liquor cabinet well stocked and showing up to watch hockey games once in awhile.

I agree with this. If i'm Holland i stay where I am. The GM's job is a lot more 'hands on' and difficult - i'm sure being a senior VP is less work. Still great pay. Respect.

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

Seattle is likely his destination.

 

[HockeyDBspecialist]

Huh? He's been amazing the past few years. Everything he's done with the unbelievably cap-friendly RFA contracts, the strong drafting, the very good trades that have easily been in Detroit's favor.

The only reasons people condemn Holland goes back to when he failed to sign Suter and Parise (how well is that working out for MN right now?) and because he overpaid a few veterans... even though those contracts are all expiring soon and the team has well over 20mil in cap space so those bloated UFA contracts don't actually hurt the team at all.

People will keep the narrative going though, whatever it takes to demean a team that you don't like.

Oh ya, He didn't gave NTC like candies to old injured players.

 

[Cursed Lemon]

And you can write that check and take it to the bank.

This is exactly the mindset that made Holland ineffective in the cap era.

 

[Martinez]

I’m feeling a Holland-Babcock reunion in Seattle. Glendening and hyman as captains of course

 

[Voight]

He'll leave just like Lou Lams did. These long time GMs don't want to be pushed aside.

As for the Seattle talk, not sure if they'd be all in for him. He's never really had to build a team from scratch or do a scorched earth rebuild.

Crazy how EDM would be perfect for him except Katz insists on keeping Nicholson & the Old Boys Club around so there goes any chance of hiring a reputable GM.

 

[Datsyukian Deke]

Hopefully the latter.

 

[PullHard]

He'll leave just like Lou Lams did. These long time GMs don't want to be pushed aside.

As for the Seattle talk, not sure if they'd be all in for him. He's never really had to build a team from scratch or do a scorched earth rebuild.

Crazy how EDM would be perfect for him except Katz insists on keeping Nicholson & the Old Boys Club around so there goes any chance of hiring a reputable GM.

Ken Holland had been working on Yzerman becoming DRW GM for the last few months - Not sure this is a typical "pushed aside/ upstairs" move.

 

[nbwingsfan]

Good. He would totally be the wrong choice for Edmonton. The guy is washed up in my opinion.

Past 2015, Holland has made nothing but great moves IMO. He was bad from about 2012-2015 when he was holding onto the playoff streak for far too long, giving out poor contracts to average players and giving away draft picks + prospects for 3rd/4th loners to keep that streak alive.

He’s been great when he truly had to rebuild.

 

[StreetHawk]

Ken Holland had been working on Yzerman becoming DRW GM for the last few months - Not sure this is a typical "pushed aside/ upstairs" move.

It comes down to what Holland wants to do. Is he built out of the same mould as Lou Lam where he works until he’s in his mid 70’s. That’s another decade to dozen years for him. If that’s the case he’ll likely move into something else. As soon as Yzerman announces that he was going to leave the TB organization everyone expected him back in Detroit. Just a matter of how that transition would go down.

Holland could also decrease his duties and head off into retirement in a couple of years. Like Yzerman, family may be the deciding factor for him. They’ve been in Detroit for a very long time.

 

[newfy]

The extension is interesting, especially with the speculation that Seattle may hire their GM this summer. However it certainly doesn't prevent Holland from moving on I'm sure.

Perhaps he is perfectly content working with Yzerman and staying in Detroit. Not a bad situation to stay in.

A lot of the speculation about Seattle was about him being closer to his aging Mom. I wonder if moving into this role, the wings are kinda letting him come and go more freely. Take off for a week of the season here and there where when youre GM that cant happen. COmplete speculation but who knows. Seems like something the Illitches would allow.

Past 2015, Holland has made nothing but great moves IMO. He was bad from about 2012-2015 when he was holding onto the playoff streak for far too long, giving out poor contracts to average players and giving away draft picks + prospects for 3rd/4th loners to keep that streak alive.

He’s been great when he truly had to rebuild.

I really think Holland was bad when Mike Illitch's health was bad. I tihnk the family said keep the playoff streak going no matter what while Mike is still alive. Honestly, as soon as Mike passed Holland did a great job of setting the team up for a rebuild. Great returns for guys like Smith and Tatar and other trades that seemed really in the wings favour. The cap situaiton was strapped because of that but now its clearing up just in time to get on the upswing of a rebuild with Yzerman taking over

 

[Voight]

Ken Holland had been working on Yzerman becoming DRW GM for the last few months - Not sure this is a typical "pushed aside/ upstairs" move.

Its still hard to give up power after you've had it for so long.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

If Holland was going to leave, why wouldn't he have left when Yzerman was named GM?

 

[ScottyK]

Ken Holland had been working on Yzerman becoming DRW GM for the last few months - Not sure this is a typical "pushed aside/ upstairs" move.

Lou claimed the same thing with Shero, just FYI

 

[blood gin]

Lou claimed the same thing with Shero, just FYI

Lou has a massive ego though. A lot of people were speculating at the time that he was never going to allow himself to be just kicked upstairs