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NHL Rumors: Oilers expected to hire Keith Gretzky as AGM

By Dave Stevenson

Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Edmonton Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli makes the Oilers pick of Connor McDavid (not pictured) in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Edmonton Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli makes the Oilers pick of Connor McDavid (not pictured) in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Edmonton Oilers are expected to hire former Boston Bruins scouting director Keith Gretzky to an assistant general manager role in their front office.

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The name “Gretzky” carries a lot of weight in Edmonton. Wayne Gretzky was a star with the Edmonton Oilers and helped lead them to having a dynasty in the 1980’s. He’s still beloved in Edmonton. Now, ironically, Wayne’s brother Keith Gretzky might be able to lead the Oilers in a different role. According to Bob McKenzie, the Oilers are close to hiring Keith in an assistant general manager role.

Gretzky got his start with the Arizona Coyotes back when his brother Wayne was in charge of the Coyotes. He started off as a scout in 2001. By 2006, he was promoted to the role of Director of Amateur Scouting. Gretzky joined the Boston Bruins in 2013 as an amateur scout and was later promoted to their Director of Amateur Scouting that same year. He still remains in that role for the Bruins, but he might not stay in it for long.

Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli was the general manager of the Bruins back then, so he and Gretzky have worked together in the past. Chiarelli took a number of the Bruins front office personnel with him after he was fired by the Bruins and hired by the Oilers.

Under Gretzky, the Bruins haven’t had a very strong draft record, so that’s a little bit concerning. However, Chiarelli and Gretzky clearly like working together, so maybe it could work.

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