Oilers GM Ken Holland may put off retirement, manage eastern team
Oilers General Manager Ken Holland was believed to be retiring at the end of this year, but now is reported to be the front runner for GM of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
According to Andy Strickland of Bally Sports, noise has picked up that Holland could move on to Columbus to fill their GM position. Holland could provide some veteran leadership for the team, and mentor franchise legend Rick Nash to take over.
Ken Holland is in the final year of his contract with the Edmonton Oilers, and at 68 years old, it was expected by many that he would be retiring. This season is the first under Oilers President Jeff Jackson, and it was heavily assumed he'd look to make a change at the GM position after Holland's contract expired. However, things could potentially change if the Oilers go on a long playoff run, and the team wants some continuity.
Mark Hunter emerges as most likely candidate for Oilers General Manager after Ken Holland
The Oilers have already been linked to potential General Manager candidates in the event of Holland's departure at the end of this year. Most recently Mark Hunter has been named the front runner for the Oilers GM job, reported by both Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek.
»I also wonder about [Hunter] and the Oilers if this is Ken Holland's last season running the team. Oilers CEO of Hockey Operations Jeff Jackson has always been a fan of Hunter as he always was of Kris Knoblauch and we all know how that played out.»
- Jeff Marek, Rink Fries Column
- Jeff Marek, Rink Fries Column
With Leon Draisaitl's contract up for negotiation this offseason and Connor McDavid shortly after him, the hiring of the next Oilers General Manager will be critical. President Jeff Jackson needs to do his due diligence, and pick the right candidate for the job.
| POLL | ||
Do you think Ken Holland will retire this season, take another job, or stay with the Oilers? | ||
| Retire | 206 | 40.1 % |
| Take another GM job | 163 | 31.7 % |
| Stay with the Oilers | 145 | 28.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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