Today the Ottawa Senators formally announced Steve Staois as their new President of Hockey Operations. Staois was previously working as a special advisor to the Oilers hockey operations, working closely with General Manager Ken Holland.

This news is a long time coming. The new owner of the Senators, Michael Andlauer has long had connections with Staois and many believed he would join Andlauer in some capacity in Ottawa.

Normally I wouldn't blog about something like this but for a long time there was a belief that Staois was being groomed to be the next General Manager of the Edmonton Oilers. Staois may have been a former Oiler but since his playing career he has worked through the ranks of hockey and is widely respected around the NHL as a bright individual who could likely become an excellent GM. Staois could have been an excellent successor to Holland, bringing more modern thinking to the organization.

That likely would have been the narrative if not for the hiring of Jeff Jackson. In his very short time in Edmonton, Jackson has not been afraid to shake things up, make analytic driven hires and push the Oilers into the modern day NHL. While Staois may have been an excellent hire, I actually have full confidence right now in Jackson to find someone even better.

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It may be a little odd to be talking about the Oilers next GM right before the season starts while Ken Holland is still at the helm. This is the last year of Ken Holland's contract. It's important to remember that just a few years ago, Holland was prepared to retire completely before being convinced to come back into the fold. Now 67 years old, it is a fair question to ask whether or not Holland wants to continue in this role for the future.

If the Oilers are successful in winning a Stanley Cup this season, that seems like a great note for Ken Holland to exit on. If the team once again comes up short than why would Jeff Jackson go back to the same GM who's contract has just expired? Regardless it's hard to envision a future where Holland is back next season.

Jackson has already been making his mark on this team and months from now we will likely see another big one with him hiring his own GM. Plenty of hockey to talk about before that happens though!

Thanks for reading.

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