Insider reveals two former Oiler general managers front runners to take over New York Islanders
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro - Imagn Images
It appears that two former Edmonton Oilers general managers maybe in the running for the top job with the New York Islanders as the team will not renew Lou Lamoriello's contract for next season.
According to Frank Seravalli of the Daily Faceoff, Both Ken Holland and Peter Chiarelli are both considered candidates to replace the longtime NHL general manager.
Holland has been wanting back into the NHL after the Oilers
«This is a very attractive job, not just for the scarcity, but because it is a team in a major market with deep-pocketed owners who aren't afraid to spend, a passionate fanbase, and a roster with positional boxes already checked at goaltender, defence and centre,» Seravalli wrote.
There has been speculation that Holland has wanted to get back into the NHL after he and the Oilers decided to part ways, and many thought he would consider retirement from his longtime NHL managing career.
The Islanders can bring in a second straight Hall of Famer to their front office. Holland, 69, is 13 years younger than Lamoriello and has his name etched on Lord Stanley one more than Lamoriello's three. More importantly: Holland was two goals away last spring from a fifth Stanley Cup victory in Edmonton, and how sweet that would've been with a second franchise. Holland is prime to lead a club as president, where he can hire a GM and mentor and oversee the process with his hands on the wheel. Plus, last time we saw him in December, he admitted he's «not sure» he loves a stress-free existence. This hockey lifer is wired to work. - Frank Seravalli
Chiarelli has been away from a GM post for several years
Chiarelli had a tumultuous Time with Edmonton after selecting Connor McDavid in the 2015 entry draft but made several bad moves through trade including the trade of Taylor Hall to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Adam Larsson and trading his 16th and 33rd overall pick to the Islanders in exchange for Griffin Reinhart.
It's been a while since we've seen Chiarelli at the post, and probably for good reason. It didn't end well in Edmonton in 2019, setting the Oilers back a bit, which required significant correcting by Holland. But Chiarelli, 60, is experienced, has a Stanley Cup pedigree, and has been diligently grinding away in St. Louis as senior vice president under Doug Armstrong since 2021. One thing to know about Chiarelli: He has the support of top NHL brass and he frequently lands interviews on recommendation, putting himself in the mix. - Frank Seravalli
The Islanders are expected to take their time and look over the candidates that will continue surface as the team would like to fulfill this role before the NHL Entry Draft which will happen in June.
As for Lamoriello, most feel that this may be the end of the line for the 82-year-old general manager but there is a possibility of a team calling him to see if he has anything left in the tank.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 24 | 362 ANSWERS Insider reveals two former Oiler general managers front runners to take over New York Islanders Who do you think the Islanders will hire as their new General Manger ? | ||
| Peter Chiarelli | 66 | 18.2 % |
| Ken Holland | 184 | 50.8 % |
| Marc Bergevin | 85 | 23.5 % |
| Jarmo Kekalainen | 27 | 7.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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