The media has been calling former Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland a "disappointment"
Allan Mitchell from the Athletic suggests that drafts during Ken Holland era will forever be a "disappointment".
I just want to say for starters that I think Ken Holland did a respectable job as the Oilers GM during his tenure in Oil Country. He never failed to miss the post season once, and managed to design a team that went all the way to game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals last season.
Holland certainly has a sparkling resume for any team looking to hire a hockey executive with plenty of success. He won four Stanley Cups as the GM of the Detroit Red Wings between 1997 and 2019 before building a perennial contender in Edmonton and coming just one win shy of his fifth Stanley Cup this past season.
Ken Holland was on the team from 2019-2023, and out of those years with the Oilers, Ken Holland made 25 draft picks. Out of those 25 draft picks, only 14 currently remain with the organization.
The Oilers chose 25 draft picks during his five years with the team. There are 14 who remain in the organization, matriculating but under control in amateur leagues or continuing their playing careers in U.S. colleges.
There are some nice pieces. Max Wanner is developing as a future third-pairing defender with an edge, Russian winger Maxim Berezkin has the look of an NHL player if he ever comes over, and young puck mover Beau Akey has offensive potential.
As per Mitchell, Edmonton's lack of picks during the Holland era, added to the uneven development of first-round picks like Xavier Bourgault, give the entire five-year window the look of failure.
There have also been reports that the Edmonton Oilers rank in the bottom 5 in overall farm systems. Yes, they have Matthew Savoie, but that wasnt a result of Ken Holland's drafting. The Oilers brought in Savoie via trade for Ty Tullio and Ryan McLeod, further emphasizing the argument that Holland struggled at drafting key players.
Do you think Ken Holland was a failure at NHL drafts? Answer our Oilers Insider poll to have your say!
