For nearly three decades, Ken Holland has been one of the most respected general managers in hockey. But even with all that experience, the Los Angeles Kings' season left a bitter taste that he isn't trying to sugarcoat.
"As I sit here today, I'm not happy," Holland said during Friday's end-of-season media availability. "I know Luc Robitaille is not happy. Our players aren't happy. It was a disappointing season for our fans. Under .500 at home, 29th in the league in goals scored, squeaked into the playoffs, got swept out by a Presidents'-Trophy-winning Colorado team. So I'm not happy."
The numbers back up his frustration. Special teams were a mess. The offense sputtered. And while the Kings did punch their ticket to the postseason, they were quickly shown the door by the powerhouse Avalanche. It wasn't the kind of hockey anyone in the organization envisioned.
Yet Holland isn't ready to hit the panic button. He points to something that might surprise fans calling for a full rebuild: the Kings are one of only six teams in the NHL to make the playoffs five years running. In a league built on parity, that consistency matters.
"It's hard to make the playoffs," Holland explained. "The team's gotten into the playoffs, and now you gotta find a way to get over the hurdle. So I think you gotta keep at it."
He backs this up with a look at the Pacific Division standings. Despite the disappointing finish, the Kings were just five points out of first place. In a division where the margins are razor-thin, a few adjustments could make all the difference.
Holland knows what a full rebuild looks like. He lived it in Detroit back in 2016, when the Red Wings finally ended a 25-year playoff streak. That tear-down came with a warning that still echoes today.
"I said at that press conference, when you head into rebuild modes, it's eight to 10 years till you come out on the other side, with no guarantees," he recalled. "I would say to you, we have lots of good players. I gotta build a better team."
So instead of blowing it up, Holland's plan is a retool. The foundation is there. The pieces are in place. Now it's about finding the right additions and the right coach to push this team over the hump. That starts this offseason with a permanent hire behind the bench—a decision that could define the next chapter for this franchise.