Ken Holland was let go as Oilers General Manager this off-season after five years at the helm, and now Insider Elliotte Friedman has hinted at a huge new role.
The Edmonton Oilers were set up to be Stanley Cup contenders for years when Ken Holland took over back in 2019, but after five years and just one failed attempt in the Stanley Cup Finals, the team let him move on this past summer after his contract expired.
There have been hints that the four-time Stanley Cup winning General Manager would find a new role with a team, but after nothing eventuated, it appears he will be going in a different direction.
According to top Insider Elliotte Friedman, Holland could pivot to a new role with the NHL, as NHL Hockey Operations have reportedly reached out and touched base with his interest in a potential role with the league.
If he does not find something he likes with a team, NHL Hockey Operations has asked Ken Holland if he'd be interested in a role with the league.
Given the amount of roles in the NHL, this could mean many different things for the 68-year old, but after serving as a General Manager for the better part of the last 28 years, perhaps a new challenge could suit him. Once upon a time Holland was one of the top minds in hockey who helped build the Detroit Red Wings into a dynasty, but after failing to lead the Edmonton Oilers to the Stanley Cup with a ready made team in place, that has now come into question.
We will learn more about Holland's potential role with the league in the coming weeks and months if he is unable to find a role with the league, and while plenty of fans harbour bad feelings for him for the lack of success, there's absolutely no doubting that he could be an asset for the NHL if used in the correct role.
