Player Discussion Dylan Holloway Pt. 3 - '22-'23

[Delicious Pancakes]

Figured I'd start a new thread for Holloway.

He's had more good moments than bad to start the year, although a few turnovers have contributed to goals against. The trust and playing time he's received from Woodcroft haven't really been congruent with his level of play though IMO.

He's averaging 7:55 of playing time per game which, among rookie forwards who have played at least 4 games this year, is 34th/34. Even if you filter for forwards who have played at least 10 games and have 3 points or less, the only other rookie averaging less than 9 minutes per game is Mark Kastelic in Ottawa. Aside from Brad Malone, the only other Oiler forwards averaging less than 10:00/game are Devin Shore at 7:52 and Klim Kostin who played 8:02 in his first Oiler game (Holloway meanwhile only played 6:55 after Foegele replaced him on Draisaitl's wing).

I still really believe in Holloway's game. His pre-season offense was no fluke, it's in line with his performance at other levels. It's also not like they couldn't use more offense on the wings. There are other wingers who are dropping the ball offensively and getting more rope. If Woody's not going to play him, shouldn't he just be sent down to get some minutes and work on his game? Or at least play him with another player with some offense and speed like McLeod? Limited minutes with Shore and Ryan as linemates on the 4th line are a recipe for neutering the dynamic offense in his game.

As a point of comparison, Ryan Mcleod only played 7 games with under 8 minutes of ice time last year, and through his first 12 games last year averaged 9:48, and had 3 goals, 0 assists and 9 shots. Holloway meanwhile through 12 games this year has 0 goals, 2 assists and 9 shots. Thoughts?

Previous thread: Player Discussion - Dylan Holloway Part 2 | Coming Off of an Injury and Turning Pro in '21-22

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[Spawn]

Frustrated with both him and the Oilers usage of him.

It’s a waste of time playing him 6-7 minutes a night. But it’s not like he’s don’t anything to deserve more.

Send him down. Stop wasting everyone’s time.

I’ve got to say, I sure am sick of seeing other teams draft picks step onto their team 2-3 years after being drafted and contribute in meaningful ways. Meanwhile our “good prospects” turn pro and their production disappears the second they hit the AHL.

The Oilers prospect development has been trash for the better part of 30 years with precious little exceptions.

 

[KlefDown]

Yeah he’s gotta be sent down

He’s shown absolutely nothing and it’s so obvious his confidence is not there

 

[SwedishFire]

Frustrated with both him and the Oilers usage of him.

It’s a waste of time playing him 6-7 minutes a night. But it’s not like he’s don’t anything to deserve more.

Send him down. Stop wasting everyone’s time.

I’ve got to say, I sure am sick of seeing other teams draft picks step onto their team 2-3 years after being drafted and contribute in meaningful ways. Meanwhile our “good prospects” turn pro and their production disappears the second they hit the AHL.

The Oilers prospect development has been trash for the better part of 30 years with precious little exceptions.

One can wonder why.

I think they should trade Holloway or Broberg when their developement program tack is that bad.
you get more value in a trade. Trade for forward help on RW. One 2 way RW, and one defensive specialist RW.
D can wait. I think forward depth would do wonders for this team.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

Time to send him back.

 

[Bryanbryoil]

Odds are that the Foegele experiment in the top 6 won't last. Keep Holloway up and try to play him at least 10 minutes a game. If that doesn't happen for the next 5 games, then send him down.

 

[Canovin]

Odds are that the Foegele experiment in the top 6 won't last. Keep Holloway up and try to play him at least 10 minutes a game. If that doesn't happen for the next 5 games, then send him down.

Send him down and try out other prospects

 

[Shanahanigans]

I think one of the things with Holloway is that this season, the Oilers are playing with almost zero structure. That is absolutely terrible for a young player trying to make his way into the league. It's no surprise that last year, Bouchard and Mcleod really took off especially under Woodcroft when the whole team was playing as a solid 5 man unit. Holloway is struggling, but so is Bouchard, so did Broberg in the preseason. When the entire structure is off, players who need a bit more sheltering tend to look a lot worse.

 

[Soundwave]

I would give him until Yamamoto is ready, which seems like 1-2 games away. If he can't take a step in those games, send him down for a couple of games and see how it goes there and you can always bring him back, it's not like some kind of big deal to do it.

 

[Slats432]

I would give him until Yamamoto is ready, which seems like 1-2 games away. If he can't take a step in those games, send him down for a couple of games and see how it goes there and you can always bring him back, it's not like some kind of big deal to do it.

This is correct. Keep him around with some opportunity while you get healthy, Janmark and Kostin are up so if Yamo comes back and he hasn't taken another step, send him down, if he does, Kostin can go down.

 

[Bryanbryoil]

Send him down and try out other prospects

There is no one else on the farm right now that will be able to bring what he can offensively to the table if he gets going. Bourgault in time probably will, but unless Lavoie is greatly improved, it's just not happening. We don't need more 4th liners, we need someone that can play and produce in the top 9.

 

[SwedishFire]

There is no one else on the farm right now that will be able to bring what he can offensively to the table if he gets going. Bourgault in time probably will, but unless Lavoie is greatly improved, it's just not happening. We don't need more 4th liners, we need someone that can play and produce in the top 9.

Oilers cant develope top6 players. Sorry.
Oilers should draft, then trade those for players.

A 3rd line of Holloway MacLeod Fogele is worth a try though.

Nah. Holland needs to address a RW need soon.
Top 6 RW right now is Hyman and Kostin.

Oilers may should had signed Jagr.

 

[SwedishFire]

Oilers cant develope top6 players. Sorry.
Oilers should draft, then trade those for players.

A 3rd line of Holloway MacLeod Fogele is worth a try though.

Nah. Holland needs to address a RW need soon.
Top 6 RW right now is Hyman and Kostin.

Oilers may should had signed Jagr.

For real. Jagr outperforms Yamamoto and Puljujärvi. At least he has strength.
And can bank in rebounds.

 

[Bryanbryoil]

They need to send him down and let him get some chemistry with Bourgault and Lavoie IMO. Then call up 2 of them to play on Connor or Leon's wings. He needs time to get his confidence back up in the AHL and reflect on what he needs to do to succeed in Edmonton outside of not having Woodcroft bench his ass every time that he makes a mistake.

 

[57special]

Thoughts on Holloway? I haven’t been following him at all. Wondering why he is having such a slow start to his NHL career.

 

[McDoused]

Thoughts on Holloway? I haven’t been following him at all. Wondering why he is having such a slow start to his NHL career.

Hes fine. Just learning the defensive side of the game and being eased into the league. He had a couple bad turnovers and penalties earlier in the season and got stapled to the bench. Hes progressing nicely but the Oilers have depth and he has to outplay guys like Ryan, Foegele and JP who are all fighting for jobs.

 

[Broberg Speed]

When Holloway gets his man strength he's going to be a good one.

 

[Whoshattenkirkshoes]

Dylan Holloway lacks Hockey IQ which is fine. He's fast, aggressive, athletic, has a good shot.

Definitely think this is a make or break year for him. I expect him to be an effective forward for the Oilers this year.

Top 9 looking better than ever. Scary

 

[Drivesaitl]

Hes fine. Just learning the defensive side of the game and being eased into the league. He had a couple bad turnovers and penalties earlier in the season and got stapled to the bench. Hes progressing nicely but the Oilers have depth and he has to outplay guys like Ryan, Foegele and JP who are all fighting for jobs.

I know this post is old but who benches a player and then scratches him repeatedly because a rook has made a few turnovers?

I expect and want young gifted players to be making mistakes like that because it shows they are taking gambles in their game, in regular season games.

By no means should you yank rook players off the ice because they make perceived mistakes. Its part of the risk/benefit inherent in players that can make plays. That a guy like Holloway is already around that edge is positive. But its not if the coach is going to pull his minutes because he's taking chances trying to make plays. He won't learn to make those plays here at this level unless given a chance.

Dylan Holloway lacks Hockey IQ which is fine. He's fast, aggressive, athletic, has a good shot.

Definitely think this is a make or break year for him. I expect him to be an effective forward for the Oilers this year.

Top 9 looking better than ever. Scary

Does he though? To me he lacks age and experience. Thats it. Rooks make mistakes. Is this now not an acceptable thing?

 

[duul]

I know this post is old but who benches a player and then scratches him repeatedly because a rook has made a few turnovers?

I expect and want young gifted players to be making mistakes like that because it shows they are taking gambles in their game, in regular season games.

By no means should you yank rook players off the ice because they make perceived mistakes. Its part of the risk/benefit inherent in players that can make plays. That a guy like Holloway is already around that edge is positive. But its not if the coach is going to pull his minutes because he's taking chances trying to make plays. He won't learn to make those plays here at this level unless given a chance.


Does he though? To me he lacks age and experience. Thats it. Rooks make mistakes. Is this now not an acceptable thing?

He was making confident plays, he's like Foegele if Foegele had soft hands and vision.

I pray we don't see him neutered because of a few neutral zone turnovers in regular season games. That would be an absolute travesty.

 

[Whoshattenkirkshoes]

I know this post is old but who benches a player and then scratches him repeatedly because a rook has made a few turnovers?

I expect and want young gifted players to be making mistakes like that because it shows they are taking gambles in their game, in regular season games.

By no means should you yank rook players off the ice because they make perceived mistakes. Its part of the risk/benefit inherent in players that can make plays. That a guy like Holloway is already around that edge is positive. But its not if the coach is going to pull his minutes because he's taking chances trying to make plays. He won't learn to make those plays here at this level unless given a chance.


Does he though? To me he lacks age and experience. Thats it. Rooks make mistakes. Is this now not an acceptable thing?

I guess that's his week spot and that is dating back to NCAA. I am not talking so much about the mistakes

 

[Drivesaitl]

I guess that's his week spot and that is dating back to NCAA. I am not talking so much about the mistakes

I hear punters here say "X player has low hockey !Q" any day. These are NHL players, in many cases the topic is skilled players which Holloway is. He's predatory on picks. he has some awareness of where puck is going, he gets in sports. Sure he turns pucks over as well, he's kind of high event. But again I don't mind there being risk/reward in the game and the player figuring it out.

Maybe its semantics but I think the bolded term gets tossed around like confetti and saying it alone without outlining concerns just ends up being a label, and often false.

He was making confident plays, he's like Foegele if Foegele had soft hands and vision.

I pray we don't see him neutered because of a few neutral zone turnovers in regular season games. That would be an absolute travesty.

WE already saw it. We're just hoping he doesnt' get neutered and nailgunned to the bench a 2nd season in a row. The player was wasted this season. Yeah it would be travesty but coach couldn't even figure out to give Kostin minutes.

 

[Stoneman89]

I know this post is old but who benches a player and then scratches him repeatedly because a rook has made a few turnovers?

I expect and want young gifted players to be making mistakes like that because it shows they are taking gambles in their game, in regular season games.

By no means should you yank rook players off the ice because they make perceived mistakes. Its part of the risk/benefit inherent in players that can make plays. That a guy like Holloway is already around that edge is positive. But its not if the coach is going to pull his minutes because he's taking chances trying to make plays. He won't learn to make those plays here at this level unless given a chance.


Does he though? To me he lacks age and experience. Thats it. Rooks make mistakes. Is this now not an acceptable thing?

Mistakes will be made, but in the Oilers situation, they just couldn't afford them anymore. If they were leading the division and safely in a playoff spot the entire year, then, sure. Good and great teams can afford to do that,and the rook gets his chances. Unfortunately, when you've backed yourself into a dark corner and need every available point due to other circumstances (shitty goaltending, some bad defence, shitty goaltending), that luxury can no longer be afforded, and usually a more trusted vet gets the call. Just the way it is. But instead of still complaining about what it was, this team now needs to focus on what's ahead, and how to get the most out of this player.

 

[Mr Positive]

Mistakes will be made, but in the Oilers situation, they just couldn't afford them anymore. If they were leading the division and safely in a playoff spot the entire year, then, sure. Good and great teams can afford to do that,and the rook gets his chances. Unfortunately, when you've backed yourself into a dark corner and need every available point due to other circumstances (shitty goaltending, some bad defence, shitty goaltending), that luxury can no longer be afforded, and usually a more trusted vet gets the call. Just the way it is. But instead of still complaining about what it was, this team now needs to focus on what's ahead, and how to get the most out of this player.

I'm hoping having Ekholm from the start gives the team this breathing room

If Lavoie and Holloway are making some costly mistakes but we are still winning the games, they will still play. It's easy for us to demand that our favorite prospects get a real chance but coaches need wins and they have the worst job security in the league

 

[Bryanbryoil]

Mistakes will be made, but in the Oilers situation, they just couldn't afford them anymore. If they were leading the division and safely in a playoff spot the entire year, then, sure. Good and great teams can afford to do that,and the rook gets his chances. Unfortunately, when you've backed yourself into a dark corner and need every available point due to other circumstances (shitty goaltending, some bad defence, shitty goaltending), that luxury can no longer be afforded, and usually a more trusted vet gets the call. Just the way it is. But instead of still complaining about what it was, this team now needs to focus on what's ahead, and how to get the most out of this player.

The regular and preseason is where the mistakes are to be made to help the players learn so that when the playoffs roll around they will be less likely to be made. I 100% agree with Drivesaitl that Holloway had way too short of a leash last season.