McTonyBrar
Registered User
- Apr 2, 2018
- 18,489
- 19,324
I loved this pick and I have more confidence the Oil got a player after watching the U20. I've pimped the Ethan Moreau comp whose game was also driven by powerful skating, relentless puck pursuit and arriving with ill intent. Moreau's strong junior offence did not translate to NHL but reinvented himself into an immensely valuable character player with over 900 games played. If you can land a player like this mid-first round take and run it to the bank.
The strength of Holloway's game is his versatility both centre/wing and ability to play up and down the roster. We saw that in the tournament with quality dirty work on the first line, shifts as the 3C and versatility and trust by the coach to be moved around with different lines and line mates. I think it was a massive mistake that he was taken off the first line in the gold medal game. Driven by elite skating, physicality and relentlessness on the puck he quite likely would have been a more effective cycle breaker against the American first line which dominated the Cozen line. But regardless, there is a strong pro style game, high character which makes me think he could transition to pro within a one or two year window.
What we don't know yet is Holloway's offensive upside. He didn't show a lot on a stacked Canada team but there's some suggestion his shot might have been impeded somewhat by injury. This will be a big year back in college hockey to assert himself as an offensive driver it sounds like as a centreman. I see Holloway projecting as a gritty 2W but could top out as a quality 3C and a lead penalty killer.
I think Holloway has better puck skills and stick skills than Moreau had in junior. Holloway didn't really have a lot of ice time to show case all of his skill. It's no coincidence that every line he was on was a forechecking demon