Former Oilers GM Ken Holland reportedly soon to be hired by rival team

The former Edmonton Oilers GM will obviously know the Kings well, as the teams have met in the first round for the last 4 years - with Edmonton winning every time.

According to reports from NHL insider Elliotte Friedman this morning on the 32 Thoughts Podcast, the Kings are closing in on Holland on a short-term deal for GM.

The 69 year old Holland mutually parted ways from the Edmonton Oilers last offseason as his contract expired, and it was one of the few seasons since the 70s that the NHL didn't include Ken Holland.

He's made moves that are good, bad, and ugly, but he's a veteran GM that the Kings believe will be able to whip up a Cup Contending team out of their aging core.

If Ken Holland is being hired by the Kings, one Oilers analyst suggests another shoe may drop. Coach Jim Hiller has been on the hot seat, and Holland's former coach Jay Woodcroft is currently looking for a new opportunity. The Kings could soon be recreating the 2022-23 Oilers staff.

This may even give the Kings valuable insight to the inner operations of the Oilers and make for a tougher series if they meet in the playoffs again. Still, the Kings will never be able to meet the Oilers talent level.