Oilers will be without Dylan Holloway until after Christmas
By Paul Taylor
Edmonton Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch provided an injury update on Dylan Holloway, and whether it’s good or bad news depends on your perspective.
Dylan Holloway has been on long-term injured reserve since Nov. 15. Since then, Oilers fans have been wondering when he will return to action.
Well, now we have at least some idea, after an update from Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch. As per TSN‘s Ryan Rishaug, Knoblauch has advised Holloway will be out until after Christmas.
In truth though, this update is open to interpretation. On the one hand, it could allude to Holloway’s return being imminent.
On the other hand, Knoblauch’s comments were ambiguous by nature. He didn’t advise when after Christmas the forward would return.
Holloway sustained his knee injury during a game versus the Islanders. He lost his balance, crashed hard into the boards, and didn’t return.
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At the time, Jason Gregor of Sports 1440 said he expected the 22-year-old to be out for a few months, with him being listed as month-to-month. Again, Knoblauch’s update doesn’t really shed that much light on the current status of the injury.
Prior to the injury Holloway wasn’t enjoying the best of seasons, although to be fair, you could say this about a lot of Oilers players. Regardless, in 14 games he has just one goal and a -3 plus/minus rating, while averaging 11:23 of ice time.
This isn’t the Calgary native’s first injury issue this season. He was forced to leave the season-opener with a wrist injury, but subsequently didn’t miss any games as a consequence.
Last season, Holloway displayed genuine promise in 51 games as a rookie. He produced three goals, six assists and a 0 plus/minus rating, with an average ice time of 9:35.
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Long-term, the 2020 14th overall draft pick is still projected to be a mainstay in the Oilers’ top six, with his size, speed and two-way upside potential. First things first though, it’s a case of having him back in the lineup, with his return date still no clearer at this point.