Ken Holland?
5 years ago
Is Ken Holland going to be named the next general manager of the Edmonton Oilers? According to Rod Pedersen, who is better known for having his finger on the pulse of the CFL than on what’s happening in NHL hockey rinks and front offices, Holland’s the man.
That’s not an “I’m hearing” or “there’s a very good chance” kind of Tweet from Pedersen, who has a lot of credibility as a football guy, if not a hockey guy. That sounds like a done deal, no?
Mentioning Holland as a potential replacement for fired Peter Chiarelli made sense when Oilers’ CEO Bob Nicholson began his search for a new GM, but many people, me included, didn’t see that being in the cards after Holland was kicked upstairs as senior VP by the Detroit Red Wings for new GM Steve Yzerman back on April 19.
STAYING OR GOING?
While Nicholson talked to Holland, who he knows well through Hockey Canada, at least once before Yzerman made his return to the Red Wings, my take was that he’d remain in Detroit after all those years and all those Stanley Cups with the Red Wings – especially after receiving a contract extension to stay in the organization alongside Yzerman.
Word in recent days was Nicholson had cut his list of candidates to four or five. Holland’s name was not mentioned among the likes of short-listers Kelly McCrimmon, Mark Hunter, Sean Burke or interim GM Keith Gretzky despite impressive credentials atop hockey ops for an NHL team as successful as the Red Wings have been. Under Holland, 63, the Red Wings won three Stanley Cups — the last in 2008 — and 10 division titles.
Now, the Tweet from Pedersen. Stay tuned. Update: FWIW, I contacted Pedersen and asked him if he’s certain about his information. He indicated he is.
HOCKEY HELPS THE HOMELESS
Last year, the fifth edition of Hockey Helps the Homeless in Edmonton had a record year by raising $200,000 to assist the Mustard Seed and Jasper Place Wellness Centre in helping the homeless and those living in poverty.
With the event fast approaching May 10 at the Terwillegar Rec Centre, we’re hoping citizens of Oilersnation step up to help, as they always do, to make HHTH the biggest success yet. Last year’s response was fantastic, thanks in large part to the 10th anniversary Oilersnation party that raised $5,000 for HHTH, with every penny staying right here in Edmonton.
In these final days leading up to the tournament, we’re hoping to sell as many $1,000 pennant sponsorships, and $100 Mega-Raffle tickets as we can. If you own a small business or want a keepsake for the games room at home, pennant sponsorships are perfect – you get a pennant with your company logo signed by our pros. With the Mega-Raffle, just 100 tickets are printed. The winner gets a Theatre Suite for 10 guests, food and a bar tab at an Oilers game next season hosted by Ron and Linda Low. Good times.
You can check out the website, purchase pennant sponsorships and Mega-Raffle tickets or donate here.
Previously by Robin Brownlee
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