Last summer, Jeff Jackson was brought on to oversee hockey operations for the Edmonton Oilers. His relationship with Ken Holland, the team’s general manager, was strong, and their professional parting was amicable after Holland’s five-year tenure. Holland, 68, left without any resistance or discontent.
Jackson detailed the nature of their decision during a Zoom call on Thursday. He explained that their discussion about Holland’s departure had been ongoing throughout the season, and the formal decision came during a meeting on Wednesday. According to Jackson, both he and Holland agreed that it was the right time for this change, emphasizing that the decision was mutual and made with a sense of readiness from Holland. Their meeting was filled with laughter and reflections on the season, indicating a positive and respectful conclusion to their working relationship.
Holland was not offered a contract extension before or after the Oilers’ loss in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final in Florida. Jackson mentioned that there was no specific succession plan in place, but he and Holland were aligned in their thinking throughout the season. Jackson hinted that Holland might find a new role elsewhere, possibly as a senior advisor to a young general manager, or he might even return to Detroit in some capacity. However, for now, Holland is stepping away from the Oilers, having come close to securing a Stanley Cup.
When Jackson was hired, he and Holland agreed that they would work closely for the remaining year of Holland’s contract. Their collaboration was strong, and Holland remained fully engaged throughout the season. Jackson praised Holland’s dedication and effectiveness, noting that there was never a moment when Holland wasn’t contributing as he had done throughout his 30-year career. Both sides kept their plans for the general manager position quiet to avoid team distractions, and Jackson assured that he had not made any calls about potential replacements.
Jackson highlighted Holland’s significant contributions to the team, particularly the signing of free agent Zach Hyman from Toronto for an eight-year contract at $5.5 million per year, and the trade for Mattias Ekholm in 2023. These moves were crucial, especially considering the loss of Oscar Klefbom to shoulder issues that led to his retirement. Ekholm’s partnership with Evan Bouchard proved vital. Jackson lauded Hyman’s leadership and goal-scoring abilities, noting his 70 goals this season, including playoffs. Ekholm’s impact went beyond his on-ice performance, bringing leadership and mentorship that helped elevate Bouchard’s play. Jackson emphasized that these additions significantly bolstered the team’s leadership group, complementing core players like Leon Draisaitl, Connor McDavid, Darnell Nurse, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
As Jackson begins the search for a new general manager, he acknowledged having some candidates in mind but has yet to reach out to anyone. He suggested a preference for a younger candidate, with likely contenders being assistant general managers from other teams. Potential names include Mathieu Darche from Tampa, Ryan Hardy from Toronto, Jason Botterill from Seattle, and Shawn Horcoff from Detroit. Additionally, Sean Burke from Vegas and Mark Hunter from the London juniors were previously considered for the role alongside current Oilers assistant manager Keith Gretzky, who oversees the Bakersfield affiliate.
Jackson was uncertain about the timeline for hiring a new general manager, noting it would depend on when teams permit their personnel to pursue other opportunities. Holland’s tenure began in 2019 after Keith Gretzky’s interim period following Peter Chiarelli’s firing. Under Holland, the Oilers consistently made the playoffs, a significant improvement from their prior record of making the playoffs just once in 13 years. In Holland’s era, the team reached the playoffs every year, playing in nine playoff rounds over the last three seasons. Their notable achievements included reaching the third round in 2022 before losing to Colorado, who went on to win the Stanley Cup, and losing to Vegas in the second round in 2022, with the Golden Knights eventually securing their first Cup. Most recently, they narrowly lost in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final to the Florida Panthers.
Despite his responsibilities as CEO, Jackson stated he does not intend to take on the general manager role permanently. However, he will act as the de facto GM during the upcoming draft and the start of free agency on July 1, a role he feels comfortable with, especially given his experience as Connor McDavid’s former agent.
The team is not expected to make significant changes during free agency. Instead, Jackson’s focus will be on negotiating with the numerous unrestricted free agents on the current roster. He also faces decisions regarding the future of goaltender Jack Campbell, who has three years remaining on his contract with a $5 million cap hit. A potential buyout of Campbell’s contract could free up necessary funds. Additionally, Jackson might consider trading an older defenseman with term left on his deal to manage the team’s salary cap, which currently has about $10 million available for the 2024-2025 season.
