LA Kings’ Fans Further Disappointed as NHL Insider Drops Major Update on Ken Holland’s GM Hiring

The LA Kings just can’t catch a break. First, they got bounced yet again in Round 1, yep, Edmonton Oilers came through and slammed the door shut on their playoff hopes for the third straight year. And just when the dust barely started to settle, another twist drops. At first, it was all, ‘Jim Hiller and Rob Blake are staying put.’ But nope. Rob Blake? Outta here. The team called it a “mutual parting,” but c’mon, let’s call a spade a spade. As for Coach Hiller? He’s still got his seat warm for now, even if fans were side-eyeing his choices after that bench-shrinking, challenge-calling chaos in the playoffs. He’s only had two shots at the postseason wheel, and the regular season wasn’t a total dumpster fire, so he gets a little bit more leash… for now.

But just as Kings fans were catching their breath entered chaos mode: Ken Holland. Yeah, the whispers are swirling, and the vibes are tense. NHL insider Elliotte Friedman posted on X: “We will see where things progress over the next few days, but all indications are that the LA Kings are closing in on Ken Holland as their next GM.” The same Holland who stirred the pot in Edmonton and ran the show in Detroit might be trading in snowstorms for palm trees. And after watching four straight playoff dreams go up in smoke, the Kings were lowkey begging for something to change. And now, LA Kings fans are spiraling again as a new update drops.

NHL insider Pierre LeBrun stirred the pot, posting, “As others have reported, all signs point to Ken Holland being hired as GM by the Los Angeles Kings but am told both sides still haven’t finalized a deal. Moving in the right direction but not quite done yet.” And then, Darren Dreger swooped in on X and dropped the mic with, “Press conference to announce Holland is on Thursday.” Just like that. The deal’s not done-done, but it’s basically dressed and ready for the red carpet. And honestly? LA Kings fans were not loving this surprise casting.

Press conference to announce Holland is on Thursday. https://t.co/DfYUtqArfs

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) May 14, 2025

One fan just flat-out said what a bunch of others were thinking: “Lol how did they downgrade from Blake?” And while that might sting a little, the sentiment is kinda floating around loud and proud. I mean, Rob Blake didn’t crack the playoff code, sure, but he did build a pretty solid regular-season machine. This season? The Kings tied their franchise-best with 48 wins and racked up a juicy 105 points. Second place in the Pacific Division ain’t nothing to sneeze at. But yeah… those Oilers. Again. That postseason curse hit hard, with Edmonton showing them the exit door in six games. Déjà vu, but somehow worse every time.

Let’s not forget, Blake isn’t just some guy. We’re talking Hall of Famer status, No. 4 hanging high in the rafters at Crypto.com Arena, forever a LA Kings legend. Sure, he snagged his lone Stanley Cup ring with the Avs, but LA was always home turf. After retiring in 2010, he stepped into the Kings’ front office during that magical 2013-14 season when they snatched their second Cup. So yeah, fans have history with this dude, there’s legacy, there’s emotion. And now? With Holland possibly stepping in, it’s giving big ‘wait, this is our upgrade?’ energy.

This story is developing…

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