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NHL Rumors: Ex-Oilers GM Ken Holland to join Utah HC front office "in some fashion"
Ex-Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland is reportedly joining the Utah Hockey Club’s front office, insider Jordan Schmaltz reported.
Schmaltz reported that Holland would be joining Utah’s front office in “some fashion.” In other words, it is unclear what role Holland could play within Utah’s management team.
Ken Holland served as GM of the Edmonton Oilers from 2019 to 2024. Before landing in Edmonton, Holland was the long-time GM of the Detroit Red Wings, holding that role from 1997 to 2019.
However, Holland left the Oilers at the end of last season upon his contract’s expiration. Both sides mutually decided to part ways, leaving Holland free to pursue other opportunities in the NHL.
Meanwhile, notable insider Elliotte Friedman followed up on Schmaltz’s comments, writing:
“At camp this week, invited as a guest since he knows people in the organization. Nothing formal in terms of a position.”
As such, Holland is well-connected within the organization. So, Utah could seek to add Holland to the front office despite not having a clear role for him at this time.
Furthermore, another notable insider, Frank Seravalli, further hinted at Utah’s potential interest in adding Ken Holland, saying:
“Hall of Fame GM Ken Holland was invited to spend a few days at training camp with @utahhockeyclub.”
Seravalli concluded that:
“No plans yet on how a relationship with #UtahHC might evolve, if at all.”
Based on the reliable reporting on the matter, it seems that it may only be a matter of time before Holland makes his way to Utah’s front office.
Ken Holland could step into an advisory role in Utah
During a recent edition of the 32 Thoughts Podcast, Elliotte Friedman discussed Ken Holland’s future in the NHL.
In particular, Friedman said Holland could return to the NHL on his own timeline. In other words, Friedman believes Holland will return to the NHL when he’s ready to do so.
Friedman then expanded his thoughts to include which organization could be a good fit for Holland. Friedman stated:
“One team I could see being interested in him in an advisory or consultant-type role would be Utah. That’s one team I could see.”
As Schmaltz, Seravalli, and Friedman pointed out, Holland has deep connections within the Utah organization. As such, it would make sense for Utah to explore adding Holland to its management team.
While the GM role is currently held by Bill Armstrong, the aim could be to have an experienced executive like Holland provide support as Utah looks to shed its Arizona Coyotes identity and take on its own image in Salt Lake City, hopefully as a playoff team.
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