Cody Ceci’s agent: We’re looking at 4 years, and we want $4 million for that. Ken Holland: I don’t know about $4 million a year… Cody Ceci’s agent (thinking): *Holy shit he thinks I mean per year* Ken Holland: Would you do $4.5 million?
Nation Sites
The Nation Network
OilersNation has no direct affiliation to the Edmonton Oilers, Oilers Entertainment Group, NHL, or NHLPA
Oilers and Kings fans react to Ken Holland’s puzzling moves in free agency
Photo credit: Jason Franson/Canadian Press
While Ken Holland is no longer part of the Edmonton Oilers organization, he certainly made waves on July 1 after a string of head-scratching signings with the Los Angeles Kings.
The most notable move was handing former Oiler Cody Ceci a four-year deal worth $4.5 million annually. Holland also signed Corey Perry to a one-year contract with a $2 million cap hit, another player he previously brought to Edmonton.
Naturally, fans of the Oilers, Kings, and the league at large had a lot to say online.
“How do you have $25 million in cap space and turn it into: Cody Ceci 31, Brian Dumoulin 33, Corey Perry 40, Joel Armia 32, Anton Forsberg 32, Kuzmenko 29. This is a f***ing nightmare.” — @Kuzmenkshow via X“The mismanagement of the blueline was atrocious. Ceci for four years is awful and Dumoulin as your Gavrikov replacement is brutal as well. We got slower, less skilled and older. Perry and Armia were fine though.” — @LAKingsRealist via X“Find someone who loves you as much as Ken Holland loves Cody Ceci.” — @MikeBartner via X“The silver lining from today: We won’t have to watch Corey Perry play in the Stanley Cup Final again next June.” — @Papa_P38 via X“Oh Ken Holland, WHY THE F**K DID YOU DRINK THE ‘STUPID JUICE’???” — @nat_petrone85 via X“The master plan is to finish fifth in the division, so we can have like a six percent chance at getting Gavin McKenna at the 2026 draft. Genius!” — @MEKingsFan via X“Hahaha love it! LA fans roasting senile Holland! Should make us Oilers fans be a bit happier today!” — @Chevtrailboss73 via X“Hands down the worst contract signed today.” — @CarloColaiacovo via X on Ceci
While Perry’s contract didn’t draw as much criticism as Ceci’s, many Oilers fans expressed mixed emotions about his departure. Some are sad to see him go, while others feel it was time to move on from the 40-year-old winger and potential future Hall of Famer.
“Curse is broken. We winning the mug this year.” — @Jakeybayb via Instagram“This one sucks, imma miss him. He should’ve retired wit us.” — @Tee.Dawgg18 via Instagram“I’ll miss Perry, a cagey vet who knew the small things that influenced the big games.” — Arthur Moes via Facebook“I know it’s early still, but the Oilers have lost a few character guys already (Kane, Perry, Brown) who brought a lot of sandpaper and forechecking. Hoping they’re able to find a couple guys to fill in those roles and protect younger guys like Savoie that will likely be making the team next year.” — Philippe Aussant via Facebook“Still trying to understand how Mangiapane is worth $3.5 million but Perry is not.” — Suzette Thurston via Facebook“$3.5M for his age? We’d have been insane to throw that much at him. Sorry, I get his wants at 40 years, but you have to say no thanks, good luck, and see you in Round 1.” — Rob Jacobs via Facebook“Hold up, so they got beat by a gritty Florida team that literally won the Cup off of their grit and character guys you absolutely need in the playoffs… and instead of the Oilers getting more grit and character guys, they trade whatever ones they had away? Make it make sense.” — Billy Smith via Facebook
Corey Perry was a valuable addition during his time in Edmonton, especially in the 2024-25 season, where he scored 19 goals in the regular season and 10 more in the playoffs. He brought veteran presence, scoring touch, and was never afraid to stir things up. His departure opens the door for younger players like Matt Savoie to step up.
As for Cody Ceci, Oilers fans are all too familiar with how that story plays out. He struggled during Edmonton’s playoff run and didn’t fare much better for Dallas in the third round. Now, Kings fans get a taste of the Ken Holland Experience, watching him hand out bloated contracts to aging players and hoping it all somehow works out.
Breaking News
- GDB 28.0: Oilers Need to Get Kraken (7 PM MT, SNW)
- Scenes From Morning Skate: Pickard gets the start despite Skinner’s recent performance
- Surely the NHL won’t use Italy rink concerns as a reason pull players from Olympics… right?
- Pre-Scout: Kraken coming off days of practice eyeing revenge against Oilers
- Better Lait Than Never: No one wants to talk about Oilers silver linings after losses but I do