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Published Jul 21, 2023<\/span> \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 5\u00a0minutes ago<\/span> \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 3 minute read<\/span> <\/p>\n
![\"Dylan](\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/edmontonjournal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/04Dylan.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=288&h=216&sig=sm0b8z3FMD_etwI-0ixYsQ\" "\\"\\"")
Oilers rookie forward Dylan Holloway was used to playing 20-plus minutes a night in college and junior, but is averaging just seven or eight in the NHL.<\/span> Photo by David Bloom<\/span> \/POSTMEDIA<\/span> <\/p>\nArticle content<\/h2>\n
This in from Scott Wheeler, draft analyst for The Athletic, his ranking of Edmonton Oilers prospect Dylan Holloway as the 49th top NHL prospect under the age of 23, the highest ranked Edmonton Oilers\u2019 prospect on Wheeler\u2019s list.<\/p>\n
Wheeler noted Holloway\u2019s injuries, including two wrist surgeries, have held back the young player but gave Holloway a glowing review:<\/p>\n
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\u201cHe\u2019s a fast, powerful, physical, forechecking presence who I believe has a third-line floor and the skill to push into a top-six role as the complementary scorer and go-getter that the Oilers searched for high and low for Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl before they found Zach Hyman and Evander Kane. He\u2019s known as an explosive skater who is normally the most athletic player on the ice. But he\u2019s also got quick-twitch hands that keep up with his feet and a powerful wrist shot release which help him manufacture offence both off the rush and cutting off the wall to the slot to power past checks and get to dangerous spots to create chances\u2026 He stays in every battle, supports play, plays hard and can beat defenders to his spots\u2026 I still see a 50-something point ceiling in the prime of his career if he can stay healthy. He\u2019s going to find his way.\u201d<\/p>\n
You will recall that only yesterday long-time Oilers observer Terry Jones also spoke out favourably about Holloway, suggesting the young forward will find his way onto one of Edmonton\u2019s top two lines.<\/p>\n
![\"Dylan](\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/edmontonjournal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Screen-Shot-2023-07-20-at-12.40.43-PM.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/p>\nMy take<\/h2>\n
1. Wheeler is a credible assessor of talent so I have no reason to question this ranking. At the same time, close observers of the Oilers can make up their own minds on Holloway\u2019s potential, as we got a decent look at him in Edmonton last year in his 51 games.<\/p>\n
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2. Heading into the year, Holloway was the Cult of Hockey\u2019s second ranked Oilers prospect (see below) and the top-ranked forward. The hope was that Holloway would earn a top-line spot in 2022-23, but not to be. He made some iffy rookie plays with the puck early on and got bumped down the line-up. He finally got sent the minors and promptly got injured, but did come back and score 10 points in 12 games at Bakersfield.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n3. Holloway is indeed big, fast and skilled. He was an outstanding two-way centre at Wisconsin in US college hockey before turning pro. He\u2019s also got a history of taking a year to adjust to a new league, then take a major step up. This is his second NHL season, so no one should be surprised if he makes a move.<\/p>\n
![\"stats\"](\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/edmontonjournal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Wingers.2022-23.GrA_-1.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/p>\n4. Of course, the Oilers have got to make room for Holloway, give him an opportunity, something he didn\u2019t always finds in limited ice time last season. He played just 9:35 per game on the Oilers. Holloway was just OK as a two-way player in Edmonton. Players like Klim Kostin, Kailer Yamamoto and Devin Shore slipped in ahead of him in the line-up. Now Holloway faces major competition from newcomer Connor Brown for a top line role, but Brown is also a checker who could help lead a shut-down line for the Oilers, a major need on this team.<\/p>\n
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5. I\u2019ve been expecting a breakthrough from Holloway for some time now. He seems to have all it takes to be a top pro winger. This is a huge year for him. It will be no surprise to anyone if Holloway breaks through, and it\u2019s certainly time he got the opportunity. The Oilers need to know what they\u2019ve got in this young player, so I expect to see plenty of him in the line-up in October and November.<\/p>\n
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