This version of the Edmonton Oilers has been on a path of destruction around the league over the past few seasons. Their biggest rivals have been left reeling after being eliminated in the playoffs by the Oilers.

This started with ending the era of excitement for the Calgary Flames by overpowering them in the 2022 NHL playoffs, leading to an immediate retooling attempt followed by the Flames languishing in mediocrity once again, just barely missing the playoffs this season.

The trend continued last season, as the surprising Vancouver Canucks faced off against the Oilers in the second round of the playoffs, only to lose in a hard fought seven-game series. Wouldn’t you know it, the Canucks have been in shambles ever since as their entire roster appears on the verge of being blown up.

As this year’s playoffs progress, we may be witness to this happening for a third time. With the familiar foe, Los Angeles Kings.

Are the Edmonton Oilers slowly destroying the Los Angeles Kings?

It has been four consecutive seasons now that the Kings have been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Oilers. Countless attempts to best Edmonton have come up short, even in this season in which the Kings were backstopped by a Vezina Trophy nominated goalie as more people thought this would be the year they finally win a series. Early indications were positive for the Kings, as they took a quick 2–0 series lead.

That did not last, however, as a poorly thought out goaltender interference challenge by the Kings’ coaching staff was the turning point on the entire series. Edmonton took the series in six games. Four straight years of being eliminated by the same team in the same round.

Something’s gotta change, right?

Well, shortly after the season ended, former Kings General Manager Rob Blake was let go. Indicating that the implosion or retool that the Flames and Canucks have previously been subjected to may be underway in Los Angeles.

In case that wasn’t enough, want to take a guess at who has just popped up as a candidate for the GM opening?

None other than former Oilers GM, Ken Holland.

Friedman on 32TP: “One of the names that is starting to circulate a little bit right now for the Kings is Ken Holland, he was in the mix for the Islanders and I am reserving judgment on where I think the Islanders could be going here”

— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) May 9, 2025

The Kings are clearly in need of a direction and philosophy change. So who better to lead that change than the man responsible for building the team that has constantly eliminated them in the playoffs?

Could Ken Holland be the missing piece for the Los Angeles Kings?

Depending what Los Angeles’ goal is right now, this may be the remedy to what ails them. The organization has not won a playoff series in a decade, and they need to find a way to rise past this plateau.

Ken Holland knows the team he built, many of the players and staff in place were there while he was or appointed by his team. And if it seems likely for a fifth consecutive playoff series against the Oilers, a little bit of inside knowledge of the Oilers’ best players may help guide the new direction.

In terms of Holland’s performance, he accomplished a similar feat with the Oilers over the course of a few years. Questionable trades involving far too many second round picks aside, Holland was able to build a stronger team around his superstars while beginning to properly flesh out the depth of the roster.

Regardless, it appears the Oilers are currently living rent free in the heads of the Los Angeles Kings organization. Going so far to be considering Edmonton’s former general manager to lead their team.

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