September 17, 2024 by Ryan Lotsberg

The Edmonton Oilers announced that they and Assistant General Manager Brad Holland parted ways on Tuesday.

CEO & President of Hockey Operations Jeff Jackson announced today the #Oilers & Assistant GM Brad Holland have agreed to mutually part ways.

"We thank Brad for his work during his time with the organization & we wish him well in his future endeavours." – Jeff Jackson

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 17, 2024

Holland joined the Oilers as a professional scout shortly after his father, Ken Holland, became the general manager of the Oilers in 2019. The junior Holland became an assistant GM prior to the 2022-23 season. 

Holland’s primary role was to oversee the professional scouting department. The Oilers currently have three professional scouts: Chris Cichocki, Warren Rychel, and Dani Rylan-Kearney. I predicted that Oilers CEO Jeff Jackson would beef up the professional scouting department shortly after he was hired last year. He hired Rylan-Kearney, but the organization still has fewer scouts than most NHL teams have. I would not be surprised to see the Oilers hire another person to fill Holland’s role along with two or three more professional scouts at some point in the not too distant future.

Related: Oilers Hire Former NWHL Founder Rylan Kearney

Holland’s departure leaves the Oilers with two AGMs. Bill Scott has been in charge of the salary cap for the last four seasons, and Keith Gretzky has been GM of the Bakersfield Condors since 2019.

This move shouldn’t come as a huge surprise since Holland’s father is no longer with the team. Elliotte Friedman reported that New Jersey Devils AGM Dan MacKinnon was a finalist for the Oilers GM position that eventually went to Bowman. I wonder if MacKinnon impressed Jackson enough to consider trying to poach MacKinnon away from the Devils.

Related: Holland and the Oilers part ways

I compiled a comprehensive list of people that have ties to Jackson that I viewed as potential candidates for the GM position this summer. These candidates could also find their way into an AGM position with the Oilers. Jim Benning and Laurence Gilman are notable free agents from that list. 

Related: Oilers GM Candidates: Part One – The Former NHL GMs

Bowman might also want to bring in one of his own people. Current Chicago Blackhawks AGM Mark Eaton worked with Bowman from 2014-15 until Bowman’s departure in 2021. Former Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin joined the Blackhawks organization at the same time that Bowman did in 2005-06. He’s currently a senior advisor to the GM for the Los Angeles Kings.

Related: Oilers GM Candidates: Part Two – The AGMs

This front office shake up shouldn’t have a drastic impact on the coming season, but it will be interesting to see how Holland is replaced, or if he will be replaced in the near future.