Speaking to reporters ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft Combine in Los Angeles, Holland was asked about the Oilers’ current direction. His response caught the hockey world off guard.
“The Edmonton Oilers used to stand for patience, development, and building from within,” Holland said. “I don’t recognize what they’re doing now. I hope Stan knows — you can’t buy your way to a Cup. You have to build it.”
Tension Between Past and Present
Ken Holland, who served as GM of the Oilers from 2019 to 2024, was credited with helping guide the franchise back to playoff relevance and building around its superstar core of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Though he never brought a Stanley Cup to Edmonton, Holland laid what many considered the modern foundation of the team’s identity.
Stan Bowman, hired in early 2025 following a controversial return to NHL management, has already made bold trades and high-priced free-agent signings, shaking up the core and signaling a win-now mentality. Holland’s comments appear to challenge both Bowman’s strategy and philosophy.
“There’s a way things are done in Edmonton,” Holland continued. “The city, the fans — they deserve a team that grows, not one that gambles.”
Oilers Respond: “We’re Focused on the Future”
Within hours of Holland’s comments making headlines, the Oilers issued a short but firm response through GM Stan Bowman:
“We have immense respect for Ken Holland and what he contributed to the Oilers. But we’re focused on what comes next. Our goal is clear: bringing the Stanley Cup back to Edmonton. We believe our current direction gives us the best chance to do that.”
League-Wide Reaction
The NHL community quickly weighed in. Analysts on Sportsnet and TSN described Holland’s comments as “unusually direct” and “uncharacteristically sharp,” while others questioned whether personal tensions may have fueled the outburst.
Former Oilers forward Ryan Smyth added fuel to the fire:
“Ken’s earned the right to speak his mind. He gave everything to that team. If he’s speaking up, maybe there’s a reason.”
What This Means
With both the Oilers and the Kings expected to be playoff contenders in 2025, and with several key players involved in past trade talks between the two teams, this war of words may be more than just a media flashpoint — it could ignite a new Western Conference rivalry.
Whether Holland’s message was a warning, a critique, or simply a defense of his legacy, one thing is clear: the battle for the soul — and supremacy — of the Oilers franchise just took a personal turn.
