4 Iffy Holland Moves That Helped Oilers Reach Stanley Cup Finals – Hockey Writers – Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers general manager Ken Holland has taken his share of lumps since taking the job and building a team he believes will be able to compete for the Stanley Cup. His critics will say he inherited the best rookie team in the NHL and did little to build around it, wasting some of Connor McDavid's best years. Some will suggest that Holland has made as many good moves as bad. However, there were three decisions that Holland made, which at the time were considered controversial. Many paid in spades.

Free agent signing of Zach Hyman

When the Oilers gave Zach Hyman a seven-year contract as an unrestricted free agent and paid him $5.5 million per season, many people called it a mistake. Hyman was considered a workhorse and a good fit for the Oilers, but that kind of money over that kind of term was considered an overpay. Some called it desperation as Holland was 'clearly trying to outplay other teams, including Toronto.'

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That wasn't just a mistake, it turned out to be the best free agent signing in Oilers franchise history. One could unequivocally say that it is the best free agent signing in modern NHL history. Hyman scored 54 goals in the regular season and has 14 in this contest to lead all scorers. His numbers have improved every year since his arrival and even if he never reaches the same levels of production, he has made good on the investment Edmonton made in him.

He is a lock to be a 20-30 goal guy every year. He is like a glove.

The Mattias Ekholm Trade

When the Oilers traded Tyson Barrie at last season's deadline and moved Reid Shaefer, a first-rounder and a fourth-rounder, they added a veteran defenseman who some thought was good, but not a difference-maker. Not only that, but the Oilers moved a quarterback to the best power play in the NHL to do it and put the ball in the hands of the unproven Evan Bouchard.

Not only was it the right move, but it turned out to be the best trade Holland made as the team's GM. Ekholm has been incredible and Bouchard has become an attacking defender. Both have been in the discussion for Norris Trophy consideration this year and rightfully so. Bouchard continues to set new milestones during these playoffs and Ekholm has been exactly what the Oilers needed.

It brought down Jack Campbell

It is fair to criticize Holland for the contract he gave goalkeeper Jack Campbell. It was more money for a player who worked hard on the ice and mentally. Campbell had his moments of greatness, but also his moments of greatness, and Holland was forced to make amends.

Credit must go to Holland for doing that. It would have been easier not to send Campbell to Bakersfield and try to get Campbell out as a backup. Some GMs may have done that. Instead, without much investment, Campbell was demoted, Calvin Pickard was given a chance and things went very well.

Firing Woodcroft and hiring a Rookie coach

When Holland sacked Jay Woodcroft earlier this season, he felt the team was running out of time. The Oilers came out of the gate cold this year and put themselves behind by 8 balls until they let go of a coach who probably didn't deserve to be fired. Not only did Holland choose to do so, but he hired a rookie NHL coach.

Tasked with putting together one of the biggest turnarounds in recent NHL history, Kris Knoblauch stepped in and gave everyone roles. He made it clear what the players had to do, he didn't change the system much (he just improved the way it worked), and he asked coaches like Mark Stuart to shoot penalties. Knoblauch's ignorance has undoubtedly turned out to be a blessing because he doesn't know what he doesn't know. That includes some of the decisions he makes in these playoffs, which seem questionable.

His roster changes have changed, his ideas have proven correct, and he's pushing all the right buttons. Holland could have hired a number of different coaches and gone with one of the lesser options.