On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
A Stanley Cup-winning executive is finding a new home.
According to Daily Faceoff insider Frank Seravalli, the Los Angeles Kings will be hiring Ken Holland to become the team’s first general manager.
Full credit to @rodpedersen, who was only 10 hours ahead of everyone else – but Ken Holland will indeed become next general manager of #LAKings.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) May 13, 2025
Think back to December convo with Holland free after 27 consecutive seasons as GM: "I'm not sure I enjoy a stress-free existence."
Sports personality Rod Pedersen was the first to report the hiring.
Holland’s name around the Kings started to pick up steam late last week, as Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reported that he had met with team president Luc Robitaille last Thursday.
The opening in Los Angeles came after the Kings announced the team parted ways with Rob Blake last Monday after eight seasons on the job. The team had lost to the Edmonton Oilers in the first round for the fourth consecutive season.
The Vernon, British Columbia native has been a “free agent” since he left the Oilers last June. It came shortly after his team made it all the way to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, ultimately losing to the Florida Panthers. It came at the end of a topsy-turvy five seasons as GM and president of hockey operations for the club, where Holland was often criticized for his decision-making, even though the team made it to the postseason each season he was on the job.
Since departing from Edmonton, Holland has been working for the NHL as a hockey operations consultant.
Holland will bring an immense amount of experience to the role in Hollywood. He worked for the Detroit Red Wings for 34 years, going from an amateur scout to GM and executive vice president of hockey operations. He was an assistant GM to Jim Devellano when the Red Wings won the Cup in 1997, taking over as GM and putting together teams that won championships in 1998, 2002 and 2008.
While Holland did everything he could to get the Red Wings to an incredible 25 straight playoff appearances, his legacy in Detroit has been slightly discredited, as many believe the moves he made to keep the team in the postseason set them up for a rebuild that has been ongoing for close to a decade.
More must-reads:
- Martin Necas' big extension with Avalanche another blow to 2026 NHL free agency
- Three NHL coaches in danger of a midseason firing
- The 'NFL passer rating leaders' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Canucks’ Leading Goal Scorer a Target for Oilers Over Former Star?
Some fans believe that Evander Kane could wind up back in Edmonton. The forward did agree to a trade that sent him to the Vancouver Canucks this summer, but he loves Edmonton as a city and is a pending UFA next season. The Oilers moved Kane because of his contract, so if he were to agree to come back at a lesser price, it’s not completely wild to assume the Oilers might take a look. However, one source close to the team thinks Edmonton would prefer to take a run at Kiefer Sherwood than try to find a way to bring Kane back. During a conversation with former NHL GM and executive Brian Burke, Stauffer explained: “If Vancouver is out of it, or theoretically LA is out of it, would Edmonton look at potentially bringing back Evander Kane and Corey Perry. I said there’s a player I like more in Vancouver that’s a UFA that’s really inexpensive, and that’s Kiefer Sherwood. He’s a 1.5 million dollar cap hit, had about 400 hits and 19 goals last season. He’s got six goals this year. He can kill penalties, he’s fast, he’s aggressive, oh by the way, is 1.5 million.” Stauffer told Brian Burke, “So only under the premise of if the Canucks were theoretically to fall out of it, my guess is Brian, at that price point, with what he brings, the juice that he brings and the aggressiveness he plays for…Every good team in the league would want at him.” Burke did like Sherwood as a player, but cautioned Stauffer not to get too excited about the hit count. Hits are great, but what do they really mean if the player doesn’t scare anyone? Burke suggested the Oilers (and other teams) should remember that when pitching Sherwood in free agency. Sherwood Scores a Hat Trick on Thursday vs Blues “What a week for Kiefer Sherwood,” Canucks analyst Rick Dhaliwal said. “Four goals, one called back — if you’re going to pop off, might as well do it in a contract year.” This was before Sherwood scored his third goal on Thursday, giving him nine on the season. Sherwood has exploded out of the gate this season, tied for the lead in NHL in scoring while ranking second in hits (54). He’s become a driving force for the Canucks, accounting for an incredible 28 percent of their team’s goals (32 total). His hat trick performance against the St. Louis Blues showcased his full game — three goals, five shots, four hits, and 24:12 of ice time, the most among Vancouver forwards, along with a dominant 63.9 expected goals percentage. It’s not just the production that’s turning heads — it’s the way Sherwood plays. The 29-year-old winger has always stood out for his relentlessness and edge, bringing an all-energy, something a struggling Oilers could really use right now. Edmonton feels like a team that has lost its identity. Sherwood is a player who exudes it. When asked about potential trade targets for the Oilers later this season, Stauffer didn’t dismiss familiar names like Evander Kane (if Vancouver were to move on) or Corey Perry (if the Kings fall out of contention). But he hinted that Sherwood might be the player Edmonton has its eye on most. For a team still searching for more secondary scoring and physicality in its middle six, Sherwood’s blend of speed, grit, and goal-scoring touch could be a perfect match — if the Canucks ever consider moving him.
Cowboys WR George Pickens has telling response to question about contract
George Pickens is having an outstanding first season with the Dallas Cowboys, and the career-best pace has come at a time when he is preparing for potential free agency. Is it possible the star wide receiver could sign an extension before he gets to that point? Pickens says that is up to his boss. Pickens, who was drafted in the second round by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022, is in the final season of his rookie contract. He was asked on Thursday if he would consider signing a new deal with the Cowboys before he becomes a free agent after the season. He had a noteworthy response. "That’s kinda up to what (Jerry Jones) wants to do. All I can do is perform at my best," Pickens said. George Pickens has earned No. 1 wideout money Pickens has 685 receiving yards through the first eight weeks of the season, which ranks third in the NFL. His six touchdown catches are already the most of his four-year career. CeeDee Lamb missed several games this season with an ankle injury, and Pickens showed during that time that he is more than capable of being the featured wideout in a quality offense. That should go a long way toward setting his market, whether he re-signs with the Cowboys or becomes a free agent. With Lamb making an average of $34M per year, the Cowboys probably cannot afford to keep Pickens. For now, the 24-year-old is at least giving off the impression that he is open to the possibility. He also suggested recently that money is not the most important thing to him with his next contract, which could keep Dallas in the running.
Warriors castoff has a career night against his old team
The Golden State Warriors traded away Ryan Rollins in 2023 after one season and 12 games with the team. Thursday night, Rollins showed the Warriors what they missed out on. With Giannis Antetokounmpo out with an injury, Rollins scored a career-high 32 points and dished out eight assists as the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Warriors, 120-110. Rollins went 5-for-7 from three-point range, tying his career best, and went 13-for-21 overall. In the last four minutes after the Warriors got within points, Rollins had eight points and an assists. Oh, and he outscored Stephen Curry, 32-27. Warriors gave up on Ryan Rollins after one season Golden State traded up to draft Rollins with the No. 44 pick in the 2022 draft, believing that the then-19-year-old guard from Toledo could help it reload their championship roster, which was getting up in age. But Rollins missed Summer League due to a foot injury, then suffered a season-ending Jones fracture. After the season, the Warriors sent Rollins and fellow 2022 draftee Patrick Baldwin, Jr. to the Washington Wizards along with Jordan Poole. In exchange, they got 38-year-old Chris Paul, a serious reversal in the team's earlier youth movement. Rollins was included in the deal to help the Warriors dump Poole's contract, which spanned four more seasons, and to ditch his own guaranteed deal. After a troubled partial season in Washington, the Wizards waived Rollins and he caught on with the Bucks in February 2024. Ryan Rollins' huge night showed the 23-year-old's improvement One game after Rollins had a career-high 25 points against the New York Knicks, he set another career high, this time without Antetokounmpo there to score 37 points and take up the defense's attention. Even with a great defensive player like Jimmy Butler on him, Rollins delivered in the clutch. Rollins has gone 9-for-11 from three-point range in his last two games, but it doesn't feel like a fluke. Last year he shot 40.8% on threes and hit 80% of his free throws, a strong indicator Rollins can truly shoot the ball. He also had 12 steals in his first four games, and while he didn't have a takeaway Thursday night, Rollins has more steals than turnovers (10) on the season and an excellent assist-to-turnover ratio of 5-to-2. Last season, Rollins was a solid reserve, averaging 6.2 points and 1.9 assists while starting 19 games. But with Damian Lillard suffering an Achilles tear and then being waived by the Bucks, Rollins got an opportunity, and got an even bigger one when Kevin Porter, Jr. sprained his ankle in the season opener. Rollins looks like he's going to have a serious future in the NBA. Unfortunately for the Warriors, that future won't be with them.
Raiders’ Mark Davis Sends Message Every Fan Needed to Hear
The Las Vegas Raiders have the best defensive player in the National Football League, in Maxx Crosby. Crosby has been a force to deal with over the last few years. He has been all over the quarterbacks he has faced during that time. He loves to play the game and do it for the Silver and Black. That has been his team since day one, and the team that believed in him, when no one else gave him his opportunity. Crosby is the face of the Raiders franchise, and he wants to win as badly as anyone for this organization. He is having another good season in 2025 and is looking to get better and create more chaos in the backfield for the offense. He is one of a kind, and the Raiders need to do a better job of putting a good team around him to capitalize on what type of player Crosby is. Raiders Owner Mark Davis on Maxx Crosby "Asked about interest in Crosby and the team's decision not to trade him, Raiders owner Mark Davis told NFL.com he doesn't understand why people keep asking," said NFL Insider Ian Rapoport. "I don't know how many times I've got to say it," Davis said this past week following the Fall League Meeting in New York. "It's really hard to keep getting asked the same question every month or week or whatever when the answer's going to stay the same. I don't know why anybody would think I'd change my mind or the organization would." This past offseason, the Raiders signed Crosby to a three-year, $106.5 million extension through the 2029 campaign. Davis knows it's natural for teams to take a look around the league and covet what isn't theirs. However, he said "everything about Maxx is awesome" and he doesn't see him leaving. "Everybody wants to have your great players," Davis said. "It starts there, it doesn't start with us." Crosby has also made it very clear that he wants to stay with the Silver and Black and win in Las Vegas. But it is a question that is always asked because of the bad product the Raiders are putting on the field. The Raiders will get to soon if they made the right adjustments during their bye week, in Week 9 agiant the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
