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Ex-Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland interviews with divisional rival

Colton Pankiw
Colton Pankiw
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May 9 2025, 8:33 pm
Ex-Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland interviews with divisional rival
Edmonton Oilers

Former Edmonton Oilers general manager Ken Holland doesn’t appear ready to step away from the NHL just yet.

Holland, 69, served as the Oilers GM for five years before he and the organization mutually parted ways following the 2023-24 season. He has since been replaced by Stan Bowman, and many felt that his time in a management position at the NHL level may have been finished. That may not be the case, however, as he is reported to have recently had an interview with the LA Kings.

The Kings, who were recently eliminated from the playoffs by the Oilers for the fourth consecutive year, made the decision to part ways with GM Rob Blake following their most recent loss.

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun isn’t the only person reporting that an interview took place between Holland the Kings, either. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman also had similar thoughts on the most recent 32 Thoughts Podcast.

ā€œOne of the names that is starting to circulate a little bit right now for the Kings is Ken Holland; he was in the mix for the Islanders, and I am reserving judgment on where I think the Islanders could be going here,ā€ Friedman said.

Prior to serving as the Oilers GM, Holland spent 22 seasons in the same role with the Detroit Red Wings. Under his guidance, the Wings won three Stanley Cups in 1998, 2002, and 2008.

Though Holland wasn’t able to win a fourth cup during his time with the Oilers, he did help build a solid foundation around Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, signing free agents in Zach Hyman and Evander Kane while also making a big trade for Mattias Ekholm to help stabilize the blue line.

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