Over the past few days, there have been numerous reports surfacing regarding Ken Holland's future in the NHL, but most sources say the 68-year old Hall of Fame Manager will be retiring.
According to TSN's Darren Dreger, Holland informed the Oilers yesterday that he would not be returning in any capacity next season, and while he's been linked to opportunities with other teams, he'll take some time before deciding his next move. It was also reported by Jason Gregor that Holland was offered an advisory role with the Oilers, which he has now declined.
For the next week, the Oilers will go through the NHL Draft and Free Agency without an official General Manager. President Jeff Jackson will run things in the interim alongside assistant GM Brad Holland while the team completes its search for their next general manager. Without a GM this offseason, Jeff Jackson will be faced with the challenge of running this Oilers team back to a Stanley Cup Final, as well as extending Leon Draisaitl.
Ken Holland's time in Edmonton was extremely divisive among Oilers fans. On one hand, the team made its way to the Stanley Cup Final and Holland made some incredible additions like Mattias Ekholm. On the other, he's responsible for some awful contracts like Jack Campbell, Darnell Nurse, and failed to build a championship team around Connor McDavid. Still, Holland is already a hall of famer and will be considered among the best managers in NHL history with his four Stanley Cups. If this is it for Holland's hockey career, all Oilers fans will be wishing him the best in retirement.
