It’s not a matter of if, but when for the Detroit Red Wings when it comes to being eliminated from playoff contention for the second consecutive season, a phenomenon that at least two generations of Red Wings fans have never experienced in their lifetimes.
While in Lakeland, Florida at Joker Marchant Stadium, Red Wings and Tigers owner Chris Ilitch refused to answer questions about general manager Ken Holland while discussing Tigers general manager Al Avila.
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Asked point blank about a potential extension for Holland, Ilitch brushed the question aside and tried to keep the focus on the Tigers
“We, of course, have 11 operating companies that we’re involved with, the Tigers and the Red Wings being two of those,” Ilitch said. “Today, I’m in Lakeland, Florida. This is spring training for the Tigers. So, I’m happy to talk to you about the Tigers and really want to keep the focus today on the Detroit Tigers.”
Once again, Ilitch was asked about Holland and whether or not he was wanted back for another year as general manager. Once again, Ilitch avoided the question and tried to keep the conversation focused on the Tigers.
“And I’ll be happy to take any more questions you have on the Detroit Tigers,” Ilitch said, finishing his comment.
Holland himself declined to comment on the situation after being reached by phone.
Though he’s been a part of four Stanley Cup championship winning teams (three as general manager) in Detroit, Holland has earned the recent ire of Red Wings fans for his failure to successfully manage a team in the salary cap era. Long contracts with heavy cap hits to players such as Henrik Zetterberg, Johan Franzen, Justin Abdelkader, Darren Helm, and Jonathan Ericsson among others have greatly hampered the team’s ability to properly rebuild.
His overall resume may be impressive, but in today’s sports world, fans and media both share the “what have you done lately” mentality. In Ken Holland’s case, the answer to that question is left wanting.
