After four straight first-round exits at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers, the Los Angeles Kings appear to be turning to an unexpected source for answers: Edmonton’s former general manager.
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Kings are “closing in” on hiring Ken Holland as their next GM. Holland, 69, recently parted ways with the Oilers following the expiration of his contract and the team’s loss to the Florida Panthers in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final.
Los Angeles Kings Expected to Hire Hall of Fame GM
While Holland’s tenure in Edmonton wasn’t without its critics—and some of the flak he received was justified—he also made several savvy moves that helped shape the Oilers into a legitimate Cup contender. Notable decisions included signing Zach Hyman in free agency and acquiring Mattias Ekholm at the 2023 trade deadline.
Still, Holland is best known for his storied run with the Detroit Red Wings, where he served as general manager from 1997 to 2019. Under his leadership, Detroit captured three Stanley Cups, four Presidents’ Trophies, and 10 division titles. During that span, no NHL team won more regular-season games (789) or playoff games (118) than the Red Wings.
The final years of his Detroit tenure were more turbulent, as Holland clung to the team’s fading championship window at the cost of its long-term future—a strategy that still casts a shadow over the franchise. Yet, his pivotal role in Detroit’s era of dominance remains undeniable.
Previously linked to the New York Islanders’ GM vacancy, Holland now seems destined for Los Angeles, where his mission will be clear: transform the Kings from perennial playoff participants into true Stanley Cup contenders.