3 Edmonton Oilers GM replacements should Ken Holland leave feat. Mathieu Darche

The Edmonton Oilers could be in need of a new general manager this offseason.

Currently, Ken Holland is the GM of the Oilers, which is a role he has held since 2019. Under his reign, he has turned Edmonton into a perennial Stanley Cup contender, but the team hasn't been able to get over the hump.

Although Holland is under contract until 2029, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman hinted at him leaving the team to become the GM of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

"I’m under the impression they are still waiting to talk to people. What’s going to happen in Edmonton after the season? That is, I think, one of the situations that could have an effect on Columbus. Are there any other teams that are going to go out they’re going to want to talk to people from their organizations?," Friedman said, via OilersNation.

If Holland does leave, here are three potential candidates to replace him.

3 Edmonton Oilers GM replacements should Ken Holland leave

#1. Mathieu Darche

Mathieu Darche has been linked to most GM openings and the Edmonton Oilers should be interested in him.

Darche is the Director of Hockey Operations of the Tampa Bay Lightning, a role he has held since 2019 and was a key part of the team winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021.

Darche is a smart hockey mind and will likely be a GM soon, and the Oilers should have an interest in him.

#2. Eric Tulsky

Eric Tulsky is the assistant general manager with the Carolina Hurricanes and is also considered to be a top candidate to be a GM in the NHL.

Tulsky interviewed for the Blackhawks GM job in 2022 but didn't get it. He is considered a brilliant hockey mind, as he helps the Hurricanes with contracts and finding talent, and he is a key reason for Carolina having a solid young team.

#3. Ron Hextall

If the Oilers want someone with experience as GM in the NHL, Ron Hextall could be someone to monitor.

Hextall was the GM of the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2021 until 2023. He also was the GM of the Philadelphia Flyers. He did make some questionable moves as GM of the Penguins, but the experience could be valuable as he knows what he did wrong.