Former rival GM could be candidate for Oilers executive

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Liam McCormick
December 1, 2023 (9:35)

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As the Oilers start to pull themselves out of an incredibly poor start to the season, it may be easy to disregard some of the bigger picture issues. Even though the team has the elite talent to win at all costs, the Oilers should be much better overall, and that lands at the feet of GM Ken Holland.

Now in the final year of his contract, getting older, and providing no real results, it's very much expected that Ken Holland will be let go at the end of this year. With the hiring of Jeff Jackson as President of the team, he's likely already beginning the search for the new General Manager. Today, it became known that Mike Gillis could be a new candidate for the job.

Allan Mitchell of the Athletic speculated this morning that Jackson could consider Gillis for the job, likely because of their shared history as lawyers, player agents, and NHLPA executives. As Gillis is departing the Players' Association with Marty Walsh taking over, Gillis will be looking for another job in hockey.

It's also known throughout the NHL that when executives spend time with the league administration side, Gary Bettman can help in finding another team executive role.

Gillis is the former GM of the rival Vancouver Canucks, and although his tenure ended poorly there, he had incredible early success with the team. From 2008 to 2014, Gillis' Canucks won the President's Trophy twice, reached the Stanley Cup Final, and Gillis himself was awarded a GM of the year award. If we look past the rivalry, Gillis could be a quality candidate for Oilers GM.