It might be time for Dylan Holloway to shed his prospect or part-time player label and play full-time for the St. Louis Blues big club. Last night, goaltender Jordan Binnington’s struggles put the Blues in a bad position heading into the third period, but Holloway came to the rescue, scoring two goals that helped lead St. Louis to a preseason win over their division rival.
But Holloway contributed in more than just the scoring department, as he finished his 16:14 of ice time with a plus-1 rating while blocking three shots, landing two body checks, and stealing the puck once.
Overall, it’s been a breakout preseason of sorts for the newcomer and one that could end with him finding a spot on a Blues team that needs as much NHL-ready young talent as it can get so general manager Doug Armstrong can keep revamping the lineup.
But it was even more amazing to see Holloway lead what was a comeback effort, implying he fares well in clutch situations. Sure, argue all you want that the preseason is a small sample size and teams are trying and experimenting with new lines and pairings, and you’ll be correct. That said, it still doesn’t take away the excellent game Holloway had.
Edmonton’s loss might be a massive gain for the St. Louis Blues
It’s probably no surprise that Dylan Holloway was not among the roster cuts sent to the AHL or the junior ranks so far, and if he plays another excellent game or two when called on, he should be a lock to open the season with the Blues big club.
But it’s not like Holloway is devoid of NHL experience, having seen plenty of it with an Edmonton Oilers team that earned a trip to the Stanley Cup Final. In 2022-23, Holloway played in 51 games and put up three goals and nine points, but he fared much better last season, with another nine points and six goals in 38 games.
He’s mainly played fourth-line minutes, and while we don’t know if he’s ready for a top six role yet, Holloway could evolve into a player who should be a respectable depth scorer this season. Give him a full year in the NHL, and I can see him transforming into a surefire top six forward in 2025-26 and beyond, and we can thank Doug Armstrong for bringing him to the Lou.