In a subscriber-only article this morning, the Free Press’s Helene St. James speaks with former Red Wings GM Ken Holland, who currently runs the Edmonton Oilers, regarding his former team:
Tuesday will mark the second time Holland will be at Little Caesars Arena to watch his Edmonton Oilers (9-1-0) play the Wings (6-5-2). Holland left the Wings organization in May 2019, less than a month after Holland had stepped aside so Yzerman could succeed him as general manager of the Wings.
“I was a Red Wing for 36 years,” Holland said. “I’m glad we’re in the Western Conference, so it’s only twice a year. I still have a lot of ties to the organization — Steve, the Ilitches, Jimmy D. was my mentor. I have lots of good memories.
“I pay attention to all the teams, but particular attention to the Wings. I’m glad to see them doing well.”
Holland played briefly in the organization before being hired as a scout and working his way up to being named GM in July 1997. He won four Stanley Cups with the Wings, and on the strength of that was named to the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder in 2020. The pandemic delayed the induction ceremony until Nov .
It is a far different Wings team that takes on the Oilers than the one Yzerman inherited in April 2019. Among those no longer on the roster are: Justin Abdelkader, Jimmy Howard, Trevor Daley, Mike Green, Frans Nielsen, Andreas Athanasiou and Anthony Mantha. Tyler Bertuzzi and Dylan Larkin (both drafted by Holland) are among the more veteran forwards and rookies Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider (both drafted by Yzerman) are among the team’s leading scorers.
“Seider and Raymond have created a lot of optimism,” Holland said. “I was happy to see Joe Veleno battling for a spot.”
Continued (paywall)
