The New York Islanders interviewed Ken Holland for their general manager vacancy, and he’s considered a serious candidate for the position, reports The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun.
New York opted not to renew Lou Lamoriello’s contract in late April, ending his seven-year tenure with the team. Lamoriello had served as both general manager and president of hockey operations.
According to LeBrun, the Islanders want to hire one person to handle both roles.
Holland, 69, most recently worked as the Edmonton Oilers’ general manager and president of hockey operations for five seasons starting in 2019-20. He and the team mutually agreed not to renew his contract in June.
The Oilers made the playoffs in all five seasons under Holland’s leadership.
Edmonton reached the Western Conference Finals in 2022 and advanced to the Stanley Cup Final last spring.
The team compiled a 220-121-32 record during Holland’s tenure, good for a .633 points percentage that ranked seventh in the NHL over that period.
Holland brings significant championship experience to his candidacy. He won four Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings organization – one as assistant general manager (1997) and three more as GM and executive vice president (1998, 2002, 2008).
He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder in 2020.
The Islanders aren’t limiting their search to Holland. LeBrun reports they also plan to speak with Marc Bergevin and Mathieu Darche.
Bergevin currently serves as special advisor to the general manager for the Los Angeles Kings, a position he’s held since 2022. The Kings parted ways with GM Rob Blake on Monday.
Before joining Los Angeles, Bergevin spent nearly a decade (2012-2021) as the Montreal Canadiens’ general manager and executive vice president. His resume also includes a Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010, where he worked as director of player personnel.
Darche has been with the Tampa Bay Lightning since the 2019-20 season, initially as director of hockey operations before being promoted to assistant general manager three years ago.
