23/24 Player Profile: Dylan Holloway

Last Year

Dylan Holloway may not have had the most successful rookie season in NHL history but he did manage to crack the Oilers lineup for a total of 51 games last season where he scored 3 goals and 6 assists for 9 points. Maybe Not the production the Oilers were hoping for but also these were his first NHL games and he has lot’s of room to grow where the Oiler’s will be expecting bigger things from him this season.

Holloway had a great training camp for the Oilers last season scoring 4 goals, 2 assists for 6 points in only 4 pre-season contests which helped him secure a spot in the Oiler’s line up opening night against the Vancouver Canucks where he didn’t impact the game too much, racking up 8:06 TOI and no points. Most people believed heading into camp that Holloway needed more time in the AHL to develop and would be a great candidate for a mid-season recall due to injury. Holloway staked his case and worked his way into the opening lineup and stayed there for a majority of the season floating between the 3rd and 4th lines before getting sent back to the minors after 51 games in mid February.

Mostly due to cap related reasons the Oilers sent Holloway down when they activated Evander Kane from the injured reserve. Holloway proceeded to get injured in his very first game for the Condors. Holloway missed just over a month of action due to injury before finally getting back up and running with the Condors.

In 12 GP in the minors last season Holloway put up 10 points showing that he does have point producing abilities in his game.

This Year

Avoiding injury will be key for Holloway this year. With his 51 games of experience under his belt and the trust of the coaching staff in Edmonton, Holloway should be a lock to make the team out of training camp. His low cap hit on his entry level contract also helps his chances to make the team because the Oilers can’t afford to put anyone making more money on the roster.

I think Holloway will get a good chance to show what he is made of and will be given a long leash in the bottom 6 allowing him to play upwards of about 65 games. I think maybe at some point there will be a combination of injury, or if the Oiler’s struggle for a bit he could see time in the minors as they give another player a look. Or maybe the Oiler’s acquire someone at the deadline who pushes him aside at some point. 9 points in 51 games won’t be what the Oilers are expecting from him. Pushing Warren Foegele for replacement points somewhere in the 25-30 points is what the Oilers should be hoping from Holloway. If he can do that, I would expect Holloway to play the full season.

Holloway will be in a battle this season for 3rd line minutes on the wing but currently holds the upper hand over guys like Janmark, Lavoie, and Ryan. It’s his job to lose.