Jesse Puljujarvi #13, Connor McDavid #97, Edmonton Oilers (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
Say what you will about Edmonton Oilers’ general manager Ken Holland’s overall performance in the summer of 2021, but you can’t say he wasn’t busy.
Trades, signings, extensions, and the National Hockey League Entry Draft all took up portions of his time as he finally shook off the financial shackles he inherited from Peter Chiarelli and, for better or worse, installed fiscal handcuffs of his own for the foreseeable future with the Oilers.
Back up against the salary cap, with big money committed to a number of players, the team will certainly look different in 2021-22, and only time will tell if Holland’s roster design can lead the Edmonton Oilers to the Stanley Cup.