The Edmonton Oilers skated their way into the Stanley Cup Final, but there's a lot going on off the ice as well for the club. The team may possibly need to name a new general manager this offseason. Oilers' CEO Jeff Jackson says the team isn't immediately addressing that issue.

“We’re not dealing with any of that until we’re done the playoffs,” Jackson said, per The Athletic. “It can’t be any sort of speculation or discussion that’s going to be a distraction from the team. We’re operating day to day. The hockey-ops group is very in sync and together all the time. We’re on the road having dinner and doing what we do. And being with the coaches. We’re not going to change any of that, because it’s working.”

Ken Holland is the current GM of the team, and his contract expires on June 30. It's uncertain if he will choose to stay, or would even be allowed to stay. If he leaves, that could cause some major headaches for the club. Free agency and the NHL Draft are soon approaching, at the end of June. The team would need a GM in place to be able to handle managerial decisions immediately.

“The timing of everyone is unfortunate just because it’s all jammed up the way it’s played out this year. But I’ll deal with that. And it’s a good problem to have,” Jackson added.

What's going on right now for the Oilers?

Edmonton Oilers Assistant Coach Paul Coffey looks on from the bench against the New York Islanders at Rogers Place.
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The Oilers are nearing the end of what has been a special season. The team won 16 games in a row earlier this year, heading into the All-Star Break. That in itself was remarkable, but the team also did it on the heels of changing coaches mid-season. Kris Knoblauch took the reins in November and has since soared with the team.

Edmonton is now on the doorstep of doing something it hasn't in more than 30 years. The Oilers are facing off against the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final. Edmonton hasn't won the championship since 1990. The Oilers and Panthers meet in Game 1 of the final on Saturday.

The problem for Edmonton is that if the Stanley Cup series goes 7 games, the team may not be done with the playoffs until late June. That is just a few days before the NHL Draft, which is scheduled to begin on June 28. That is difficult to navigate, but things get even more challenging. A few days after the draft, the general manager's contract expires. Then on July 1, the free-agency period begins in the NHL. That is more than enough to keep anyone on their toes.

Jackson has been the CEO for the Oilers for less than a year. Holland has been with the team since 2019, when he signed a five-year contract. It's unclear if Jackson will hold on to his general manager, who was hired before the CEO arrived. Rumors are that Holland may not be allowed to stay, per The Hockey News. Time will tell what the Oilers decide to do, but one thing is clear: the team has a lot on its plate.