Former Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland is now a free agent after parting ways with the Edmonton Oilers. The separation, which had been anticipated, was confirmed Thursday following the Oilers’ 2-1 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Oilers CEO of hockey operations Jeff Jackson announced the news in a statement, saying, “The Edmonton Oilers and Ken Holland have mutually agreed that his contract will not be extended beyond its current term. Over the past five seasons as general manager, Ken has not only built the Edmonton Oilers into one of the NHL’s best teams, but he has also established a deeply rooted foundation of success and a culture of winning that will continue well into the future. Thanks in large part to Ken’s outstanding work, Edmonton has become a destination city for players around the National Hockey League. We wish Ken, Cindi, and his entire family the very best and thank him for his leadership and contributions to the Oilers organization and the City of Edmonton.”
Holland’s future remains uncertain; at 68, it is not clear whether he will retire or pursue another role within the NHL. Holland joined the Oilers in 2019, just two weeks after stepping down as the Red Wings’ GM to make way for Steve Yzerman. During his 21-year tenure with Detroit, Holland led the team to three Stanley Cup victories and maintained a streak of playoff appearances from the 1997-98 season through 2015-16.
Under Holland’s leadership, the Oilers made the playoffs every season, cementing his reputation as a successful and influential GM.
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