Ken Holland’s era as the Los Angeles Kings’ General Manager is officially underway. All eyes are on the seasoned manager as the Western Conference unit looks towards planning for the next season after making the playoffs this year.
Holland was with the Red Wings for a significant period and won four Stanley Cups with the franchise between 1997 and 2019. He shifted to the Edmonton Oilers later for a five-year stint before parting ways with the side after Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final of the last season.
NHL Insider Reveals Who Ken Holland Might Bring On Board
Speaking to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, Holland spoke of what he loved about the Kings and his plans as they gear up for a busy summer. The NHL insider noted that the Hockey Hall of Famer had retained the front office unit after his hire.
“Holland has decided to keep Blake’s front-office group pretty much intact, which includes wanting to keep Nelson Emerson (AGM), Glen Murray (senior director, player personnel), and Marc Bergevin (senior adviser to GM) in the fold, among others,” he wrote.
When discussing new entrants, LeBrun believed he “would be surprised if it wasn’t Tyler Wright,” who worked with Holland with Detroit and Edmonton. His take came on the back of the GM explaining his front office plans.
“I am going to bring in a person on board here, someone that knows how I think, and other than that, I look forward to working with Nelson and Glen and Luc and (head coach) Jim Hiller and everyone there,” Holland revealed.
Ken Holland confirms that he has begun contract discussions with free agents Vladislav Gavrikov and Andrei Kuzmenko, and previews what his offseason schedule will look like:
Full pod👇https://t.co/2YQYO4qC0P#GoKingsGo #thesickpodcast @MurphysLaw74 pic.twitter.com/XleUOXyt7z
— The Sick Podcast – The Eye Test (@sickpodnhl)
In the same interview, Holland also spoke of considering senior adviser offers from multiple teams. He added that he prioritized family and considered them a key factor in his decision-making. “I did talk to some other teams, but at the end of the day, the situation had to work for my wife and I. We’ve got four kids and we have 10 grandkids. Family is No. 1.”
Los Angeles had a decent run this season as they finished second with 105 points. One of the major moves was roping in Holland to replace Rob Blake after going down to the Oilers in the first round for the fourth consecutive season.
Known for swinging for big trades, the Kings fanbase has already begun speculating that Holland has laid the groundwork. Now it remains to be seen if he can help the Kings make a deeper run this 2025-26 NHL season.
Holy Ship I hope Wright is coming in does not mean Yanetti is going.
Would rather have Wright above him to mostly help in 1s round picks.
Yanetti is money from the 2nd round on.