Edmonton Oilers Former GM Ken Holland Has Reportedly Sent Shocking Message to the Team Concerning..
In a development that has reverberated through the Edmonton Oilers organization and the broader hockey world, former General Manager Ken Holland has reportedly sent a private but strongly worded message to team leadership, voicing concerns over the franchise’s current direction and internal dynamics following his departure.
Sources close to the situation indicate that Holland, who stepped down from his position at the conclusion of the 2023–24 NHL season, expressed disappointment in how the team’s vision has shifted since his exit. While not officially released, the message is said to have raised issues regarding the team’s strategic priorities, locker room leadership, and what he described as a “loss of long-term focus in pursuit of short-term optics.”
Holland, a respected executive who previously led the Detroit Red Wings to multiple championships, joined the Oilers in 2019 and oversaw a period of mixed results. While Edmonton consistently reached the playoffs during his tenure, the team fell short of championship expectations despite the stellar play of superstars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
His message reportedly included a warning about potential overreliance on top-heavy scoring and insufficient investment in defensive development and goaltending depth. He is also said to have voiced concern about recent staffing decisions and player management strategies, suggesting that “emotion is starting to outweigh evaluation.”
Although the message was intended for internal leadership — including members of the front office and veteran players — word of its tone and content has leaked, sparking debate among analysts and fans about the state of the Oilers’ leadership post-Holland.
An Oilers spokesperson declined to comment, calling the matter “internal and confidential.” Neither Holland nor the Oilers’ current GM has made a public statement regarding the leak.
Whether meant as a private gesture of tough love or a pointed critique of his successors, Holland’s message has clearly struck a nerve. With the team entering another offseason of high expectations and looming contract decisions, the shadow of its former GM still looms large in Edmonton.