from Tim Wharnsby of CBC.

Oilers owner Darryl Katz and CEO Bob Nicholson lured the 63-year-old Holland out of his cushy new advisory role with the Detroit Red Wings with a handsome five-year, $25-million US contract on May 7.

Holland was well aware of the mess he inherited. There isn't much of a supporting cast around Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. When Holland took over:

• The blue line was thin on talent and veteran leaders.
• His starting goalie was Mikko Koskinen, a 31-year-old Finn who has two IIHF World Championship silver medals in his CV but only 55 NHL games of experience. Chiarelli's last move as GM in Edmonton was to ink Koskinen to a pricey three-year, $4.5-million a season extension last January.
• There was no head coach in place. The new bench boss will be Nugent-Hopkins' eighth coach in nine seasons. RNH is the longest-serving player with the Oilers.
• The fickle fan base had witnessed only one visit to the playoffs since the city's heart was broken in Game 7 of the 2005-06 Stanley Cup final against the Carolina Hurricanes.

So what has Holland done in his three months at the helm? He has brought in Dave Tippett, 57, as head coach.

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