The real work now begins for Ken Holland after he was announced as the new general manager of the Los Angeles Kings. He doesn't have much time to get up to speed, which he noted during his press conference yesterday.
The NHL Draft is only six weeks away and free agency starts shortly after that so it will be a busy few weeks. The good news is that Holland noted he has gone through this in the past as he was named general manager of the Edmonton Oilers on May 7th, 2019 and faced a lot of the same challenges he does now.
Fortunately for Holland, some of the things he would have to do can already be checked off, as he said that most of the front office will remain in place and Jim Hiller will be back as head coach. That certainly makes it a little easier and allows him to dive into understanding the roster and what has to be done to get this team over that first-round hurdle and compete for a Stanley Cup.
Let's take a look at five things that are urgent and need to be started sooner rather than later for Ken Holland and the LA Kings.