Oilers Activate Dylan Holloway: AHL Assignment, Injury Setbacks, and Cap Strategy Unveiled.
The Edmonton Oilers have activated forward Dylan Holloway from LTIR (Long-Term Injured Reserve), signaling his clearance to return to play. However, Holloway will not be joining the Oilers immediately, as the team has assigned him to AHL Bakersfield.
Holloway, a 22-year-old forward, has faced multiple setbacks this season, having played only 14 games due to a knee injury sustained in mid-November. Prior to this, he also grappled with wrist and shoulder injuries, hindering his developmental progress. His offensive struggles in Edmonton’s lineup this season are evident, with just one goal in 11 minutes per game. This playing time is a slight improvement from the previous season, where he averaged 9:35 per game, accumulating only nine points in 51 games.
Selected 14th overall in the 2020 NHL draft and known for his scoring prowess at Wisconsin, Holloway’s lack of production may raise concerns. A stint with the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors appears logical, offering him the opportunity to regain his form and potentially playing in a more prominent role than he would have with the Oilers. Moreover, it could enable him to return to his natural center position after predominantly playing on the wing with Edmonton.
While the Oilers hope for Holloway to contribute as a center in the long run, patience is required due to his extended absence. This transaction also has implications for the team’s salary cap situation, as it removes them from using LTIR. With the possibility of creating cap space before the trade deadline, the Oilers may strategize to minimize the impact of carryover penalties from Connor Brown’s games played bonus, provided they don’t encounter further injuries.
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