EDMONTON — You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
Despite this adage, one “old dog” appears to be learning the new trick of a new opportunity with the NHL. Former Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland seems to be joining the league as an advisor.
NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell announced Holland’s hiring.
“We are delighted to welcome Ken to NHL Hockey Operations,” Campbell announced via press release. “He will provide invaluable insight from his decades in the game as a player, scout and executive.”
“He offers unmatched expertise in a wide range of areas.”
Earlier today, Pierre LeBrun spilled the beans on X, long before the announcement.
Ken Holland is here at GMs meeting in Toronto today. He’s consulting with NHL Hockey Ops.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) November 12, 2024
Holland had a mixed tenure in Edmonton.
His overall impact on the organization was positive. He made additions to the team that allowed them to go from the bottom of the league during his first year to reaching the Stanley Cup Final in his last year with the team.
His fumbles stick out like a sore thumb. None of the first-round draft picks he selected as GM are with the team. Two of them, Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg, are flourishing with more responsibility and ice time in St. Louis after simultaneous offer sheets went unmatched by the new regime.
While there is a major stain in the drafting portion of his record, Holland pulled off a few moves that should be framed and put in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
The acquisition of Mattias Ekholm and the free-agent signing of Zach Hyman stand out. Both players have been irreplaceable leaders for the team on and off the ice.
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