Seattle willing to hire a GM anytime
Pierre LeBrun: Seattle is willing to hire a GM now if they find the right candidate for the position despite being two years out. They are okay with waiting until next season as well when more candidates could emerge.
Pierre LeBrun: Had Kelly McCrimmon become available, they would have went hard after him.
Get the sense that Seattle would be interested in Ken Holland if he decides to move on from Detroit. Seattle knows the Edmonton Oilers are also interested in Holland.
A Holland decision could come as early as today
Ryan Rishaug: Ken Holland is expected to let the Edmonton Oilers know today if he wants to be their GM.
Mark Spector of Sportsnet: The Edmonton Oilers GM search could be coming to an end soon.
The Oilers and Ken Holland are in negotiations according to sources, and Holland being given full autonomy to fire and hire has been granted.
If Holland doesn’t want the job, Mark Hunter, Keith Gretzky, and Sean Burke remain candidates.
If Holland takes the job, it’s possible that Keith Gretzky could remain with the team on the scouting side.
Mark Spector: Elliotte Friedman reported that the Oilers are believed to have offered Ken Holland a five-year deal at $5 million perm
Emily Sadler of Sportnet: Elliotte Friedman last night on Headlines on how a Holland-Oilers decision coming soon.
“I think we’re going to find out one way or the other over the next 24 to 48 hours, it’s expected that he’s going to make his final decision,” Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said on Hockey Night in Canada Saturday night. “They’ve got a big offer on the table, rumoured to be five times five .”
Nick Kypreos added.
“Everything’s there for Ken Holland, including autonomy in all hockey matters,” noted Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos. “But like in anything else, it’s a family decision and that’s ultimately what he needs to decide on.”
Elliotte Friedman: If Holland takes the job, Dave Tippett could become a coaching candidate for the Oilers.