The Los Angeles Kings have a press conference on Thursday and are rumored to be naming Ken Holland as the new general manager, replacing Rob Blake. While this has yet to be made official, Holland’s name is the only one gaining substantial steam.
Holland will likely return to the general manager role after spending one season as the NHL’s Operations Department as a consultant.
Blake and the Kings “mutually” parted ways only ten days ago but Los Angeles wants to fill that void sooner than later with the NHL Draft and free agency ahead. Blake spent 10 seasons as general manager and was criticized for not making it past the first round.
Holland spent his role as general manager between the Detroit Red Wings and Edmonton Oilers, spending 27 seasons in that role and having success. Holland would win four Stanley Cups and 1,145 regular-season games. He returns to the front office with quite the task ahead of him, rebuilding the Kings into Stanley Cup contenders after many seasons of failing in the first round.
Holland’s top priority should be to re-sign defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov, who is a free agent. The 29-year-old defenseman made $5.88 million last season but due to his play on the ice should get a raise in a new contract. He was outstanding last season, coming up with key offensive contributions and key defensive plays in timely moments.
Another move that could be coming if Holland is hired is will he keep Jim Hiller as the Kings head coach? The Kings had the best home record this season, but Hiller was widely criticized after the first-round exit for the way he managed games. This could have been Hiller’s last game behind the bench with Los Angeles but that remains to be seen. Holland’s arrival could be the first in a number of changes the Kings will face this off-season.The roster, and organization, needs an upgrade and some new faces. Making the playoffs is one thing but being eliminated in the first round the past four seasons in a row is unacceptable.
photo: ESPN.com; Greg Wyshynski
photo: Andy Devlin; Getty Images
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