Former Edmonton Oilers forward discloses major factor behind accepting $4,580,914 offer sheet from St. Louis Blues

Former Edmonton Oilers forward Dylan Holloway has disclosed the reason behind his decision to sign a 2-year, $4,580,914 offer sheet with the St. Louis Blues this past offseason. The 23-year-old forward says the opportunity was the driving factor to his move.

“I think as a young player too, that’s huge,” said Holloway on the What Chaos! podcast. “You wanna make your mark, grow and learn how to play the game at the NHL and play well. That comes with opportunity, and I’m thankful for that opportunity in St. Louis.”

Holloway was originally drafted 14th overall by Edmonton in the 2020 NHL Draft. After spending the 2020-21 season playing college hockey at the University of Wisconsin, Holloway turned pro in 2021-22, playing for the Oilers’ AHL affiliate in Bakersfield. Then, he split time between Bakersfield and the Oilers in the next two seasons.

With limited opportunity at the NHL level in Edmonton, Holloway decided to bet on himself when St. Louis extended the offer sheet this summer.

"It was a big part of it," Holloway said about the chance for more opportunity driving his decision. "Just going off what Edmonton was telling me, it didn't seem like I was going to get a ton of opportunity."

Through 44 games with the Blues this season, Holloway has 15 goals and 32 points while playing a regular role in the top-6. He ranks 2nd among St. Louis forwards in goals and is 3rd in total points.

Holloway added that conversations with Blues GM Doug Armstrong also gave him confidence that there would be a clearer path to playing time in St. Louis.

"I knew it wasn't going to just be handed to me, I knew I'd have to have a good camp and earn it, but there was definitely more opportunity in St. Louis," Holloway stated.

Holloway's production this season already exceeds his totals from the past two years combined with the Edmonton Oilers.

Dylan Holloway on his "hard" decision to move from Oilers

It wasn't an easy call for Dylan Holloway to leave the Edmonton Oilers after making it to the Stanley Cup Finals last season. Holloway had bonded with teammates, especially frequent linemate Leon Draisaitl.

"It was so hard because...we were so close," Holloway said recently, noting they came within "two shots" of winning it all. He said going through the playoffs creates tight relationships that outsiders can't understand.

However, Holloway explained that once the season ended, the team dynamic changed. Ultimately, he felt moving on from the Edmonton Oilers was best for his long-term development.