Article content continued

“In fact, he carried an IV bag 24/7 during the playoff run two seasons ago. The infection has a 50-50 survival rate. He’s had three surgeries over the past 1O months with one more surgery to go. It is the primary reason he hasn’t been around Edmonton and the team.

“One final thought on Daryl Katz … As mentioned earlier Daryl has one more surgery, but is through the worst of it and the long-term prognosis is positive.”

When contacted for confirmation Oilers executive Tim Shipton replied; “I can confirm John’s tweets are factual.”

When asked for a telephone interview with Katz, he responded; “No, Daryl won’t comment on it.”

Katz appeared at the press conference primarily to deliver two statements.

1. That Holland would have complete authority and autonomy to make any and all moves without interference.

2. Admit failure to the fan base and accept responsibility.

“When it comes to hiring someone with the experience and credibility and the authority to make an immediate impact, which is what we need, nobody else comes close. Above all Ken commands respect from players, scouts and other executives throughout the hockey world … and having got Ken Holland you can be sure he will have full autonomy as general manager. You can ask him, but I don’t think he’d be here if that wasn’t the case.

“I want to say a few more things. One, we have not delivered on the promise we have made to our fans in recent years. You know it. I know it. And we all know it. And while accountability falls on everyone in our organization, it starts and it stops with me. And I want you to know that we are listening to our fans. We get it. And we’re doing everything we can to get it right.”

E-mail: tjones@postmedia.com

On Twitter: @ByTerryJones