Following a disastrous 2018/19 NHL season, in which they finished 35-28-9, Edmonton Oilers decided to shake things up. The team announced on Tuesday that longtime Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland was named as Oilers’ new president of hockey operations and GM.
“I am very happy to be joining the Edmonton Oilers,” – said Holland in a statement. “I believe we can build something special in Edmonton and I look forward to putting a plan in place to make the Oilers a consistently successful team.”
Holland will be tasked with bringing back stability to the Oilers organization and return the franchise to winning ways as Edmonton made the playoffs only once in the last 12 years.
“When I think about the Edmonton Oilers and the players here, this franchise and the fan base, I just think there’s an opportunity here for me to try to make a real positive impact,” – Holland added.
Ken Holland spent 36 years with Red Wings, 22 years as GM, and helped the team to three Stanley Cups. Still, he was relegated to an advisory role in late April, when Steve Yzerman took over the GM position.
Holland didn’t waste any time at his new workplace and has already informed Ken Hitchcock that he won’t be back as the team’s head coach for the next season.
Hitchcock came out of retirement and took over the Oilers in November 2018, after the team fired Todd McLellan. He ended up leding Edmonton to 26-28-8 record.
