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"Nepotism hire removed": NHL fans surprised as Edmonton Oilers AGM Brad Holland leaves organization
Fans reacted as the Edmonton Oilers mutually parted ways with assistant general manager Brad Holland, the son of former GM Ken Holland. The news came as a surprise to fans, with many taking to social media to share their opinion.
Brad Holland first started working for the Oilers as a scout in 2019 before becoming the assistant GM and head of scouting for the 2022-23 season. His father Ken stepped down from the general manager role last year.
The team released a brief statement following Brad's departure.
"We thank Brad for his work during his time with the organization, & we wish him well in his future endeavours." – CEO & President of Hockey Operations Jeff Jackson.
On X/Twitter and hockey forums, fans weighed in on Brad's departure. One comment that gained traction read:
"Nepotism hire removed"
Another fan jokingly said;
"Wow fire him weeks before the season begins so he basically can’t find another job. Classy move!"
Here are some more fan reactions:
"8 months ago, everyone wanted Ken Holland gone. Now he’s gone and they’re getting rid of his son too, and people are upset? Tough to keep up…," one fan wrote on X.
"Wait I actually really liked Brad holland… he knew what he was doing :((((( noooo," another fan wrote.
"Brutal, promoting from within would have been nice, but here we are," a user commented.
"The Oilers don’t /can’t have the chemistry that took them from last place to the Stanley Cup playoffs. Too many character player that did the hard work are gone. This is not going to be successful," another user wrote.
With Stan Bowman taking over as the new GM in July 2024, it seems the Edmonton Oilers are looking to move in a new direction.
Brad Holland's major changes in Edmonton Oilers
Brad Holland instituted major changes since joining the Edmonton Oilers.
One of his first moves was to modernize the team's approach to analytics by hiring Michael Parkatti as senior director of data and analytics. That represented a significant shift towards relying on advanced stats and models for player evaluation.
Holland has also reshaped the roster through trades and free agent signings. Key acquisitions like Zach Hyman, Mattias Ekholm and Klim Kostin have bolstered the team's forward depth.
Hyman, in particular, excelled on Connor McDavid's wing, while Ekholm has provided a steady, veteran presence on defense.
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