The St. Louis Blues are braced to get ready for the 2025-26 season in hopes they can win their second Stanley Cup. After suffering a heartbreaking playoff defeat to the Winnipeg Jets, the Blues didn't lose many players as they were under contract for this upcoming season. One player they did retain was forward Dylan Holloway, who is coming off of a career year in his first season with the Blues and could see his role expand this upcoming season.
Holloway began his career with the Edmonton Oilers as a first round draft pick, but never really panned out. Holloway made his debut in the 2022-23 season, scoring just nine points (three goals, six assists) with an average ice time of 9:35 through 51 games. The following season, he matched his points total (six goals, three assists) with an average ice time of 11:22 through 38 games. After that season, the Oilers tendered an offer sheet to Holloway, and refused to match it when the Blues signed.
During an appearance on The Cam and Strick Podcast with former NHL player Cam Janssen and Andy Strickland, Holloway discussed his time with Oilers and that it did bother him that they didn't think highly of him during contract negotiations.
The quote transcription comes courtesy of Thomas Welch of STL Sports Central.
Dylan Holloway via @CamandStrick
— Thomas Welch (@twelcher15) September 2, 2025
“It rubbed me the wrong way how little Edmonton thought of me in our contract negotiations… I’m an Alberta boy, I wanted to go back to a team we went so far with but as soon as Edmonton didn’t reciprocate that feeling I was all in on St. Louis” pic.twitter.com/DcypPLidH1
“It rubbed me the wrong way how little Edmonton thought of me in our contract negotiations… I’m an Alberta boy, I wanted to go back to a team we went so far with but as soon as Edmonton didn’t reciprocate that feeling I was all in on St. Louis,” said Holloway.
Dylan Holloway upset with how Oilers thought of him during contract negotiations
Given how loaded the Oilers were in terms of forward, it was understandable why he didn't get much playing time. But his comments show that he was hurt at how the Oilers kind of gave up on him.
Luckily for Holloway, the Blues thought highly of him, signing him to a two-year, $4.6 million contract. And in his first year in St. Louis, he made the most of his opportunity. Holloway saw his average ice time increase to 16:49 and in those 77 games played, Holloway scored 26 goals and notched 37 assists with a plus/minus of +21.
Unfortunately for Holloway, he was unable to participate in the Blues' first-round playoff matchup. During his appearance on The Cam and Strick Podcast, he revealed he tore his oblique off his hip bone, which required surgery.
Holloway now braces for a second season in which he is expected to play a significant role in the team's success. This season is his last on his current contract, and if he continues to play well, one would imagine a contract extension could be waiting for him.