September 8, 2025
St. Louis blues
Dylan Holloway’s move to the St. Louis Blues last offseason highlighted how costly the Edmonton Oilers’ contract approach turned out to be. The Alberta-born forward admitted he felt undervalued in Edmonton, which ultimately pushed him toward a fresh start.
“It rubbed me the wrong way how little Edmonton thought of me,” Holloway said. “I’m an Alberta boy, I wanted to go back to a team we went so far with, but once Edmonton didn’t reciprocate that feeling, I was all in on St. Louis.”
The decision paid off. Holloway immediately clicked with Jordan Kyrou and captain Brayden Schenn, forming one of the NHL’s most dynamic lines. He tallied 66 points in 77 games before a lower-body injury ended his season just ahead of the playoffs.
Now entering the final year of his two-year contract, Holloway is a restricted free agent. The Blues have made it clear he’s part of their long-term plans, whether through a bridge deal or a long-term extension. Alongside fellow ex-Oiler Philip Broberg, Holloway is seen as a cornerstone of St. Louis’ future.
For the Oilers, losing Holloway may have been a miscalculation. Some believe his presence could have helped stabilize the roster and perhaps reassured Connor McDavid about the team’s direction. Fans remain divided: some applaud Holloway for betting on himself, while others think he left too soon.
What’s certain is that Edmonton’s missteps gave St. Louis a valuable asset. Holloway’s breakout season proved that when one team undervalues talent, another team can seize the opportunity — and the Blues are already reaping the rewards.
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