Dylan Holloway’s Potential for the Blues Depends on Staying Healthy – The Hockey Writers – St Louis Blues

Dylan Holloway has already shown the St. Louis Blues what he can do when he is healthy. The next step is finding out how good he can be over an 84-game schedule. Holloway enters the 2026-27 season as one of the most important forwards on the Blues’ roster. At 24 years old, he has established himself as a legitimate offensive threat, but injuries have prevented him from putting together a full campaign at his best. That makes this season particularly important.

In 2024-25, he scored 26 goals and 37 assists. He suffered a lower-body injury late in the season, missing the last five games and all seven playoff games against the Winnipeg Jets. The Blues lost that series in a heartbreaking finish.

His second season was even more encouraging, despite the injuries. Holloway finished 2025-26 with 22 goals and 51 points in 59 games. His 0.86 points-per-game average was higher than the 0.82 mark he posted the previous season. The production is there. The question is what he can produce in a fully healthy campaign.

Injuries Have Limited Holloway’s Ceiling

Holloway’s 2025-26 season was interrupted by a right high-ankle sprain that caused him to miss 23 games. When he returned in February, he had 17 points in 34 games. Missing that much time might have made it difficult for him to regain his rhythm, but he did the opposite. He returned Feb. 26 against the Seattle Kraken and recorded a hat trick (and an assist) in a 5-1 Blues victory. From there, Holloway became one of the most productive players in the league.

He finished the season with 34 points after the Olympic break, tied for seventh in the NHL during that span. His 14 goals and 20 assists each ranked tied for 12th. Those numbers are arguably more important than his final 51-point total. Holloway did not simply return from injury and play well. He finished the season at an elite offensive pace, showing his potential to be the Blues’ most dangerous forward when he is on the ice.

What Could a Full Season Look Like?

The easiest way to project Holloway’s 2026-27 season is to look at what he has already accomplished. His 22 goals in 59 games last season would have put him on pace for roughly 31 goals over 82 games. His 51 points would have translated to approximately 71 points over a full schedule.

That does not mean he is guaranteed to score 30 goals and 70 points. Injuries, line combinations, special teams opportunities, and the Blues’ overall performance will all play a role. Still, a 30-goal, 70-point season is a reasonable projection if he can stay healthy. There is also a case for even more.

Holloway is entering his age-25 season, and the Blues have invested heavily in him. After signing him to a two-year offer sheet when he was a restricted free agent in 2024, St. Louis then signed him to a five-year, $38.75 million contract extension in May. That contract carries a $7.75 million average annual value (AAV) beginning this season. The Blues clearly believe Holloway can become more than the player he has been so far.

Holloway Could Be One of St. Louis’ Most Important Players

The Blues don’t need Holloway to become a superstar for the team to benefit from his development. They need him to stay on the ice. St. Louis already has Robert Thomas as their offensive centerpiece, while the additions of Mason McTavish and Connor McMichael will provide more depth among their top forwards. That should create opportunities for Holloway to play in situations where his speed, physicality, and scoring ability can make an impact.

His ability to create offense from the middle of the ice is particularly encouraging. During the 2024-25 season, he scored nine midrange goals, ranking in the 90th percentile among NHL forwards. He took another step in that area last season, scoring 14 midrange goals and ranking in the 97th percentile.

Holloway can create offense himself, and his speed allows him to attack defenses in transition. If he can combine those qualities for a full 84 games, his numbers could take another significant step forward. The Blues have already seen Holloway produce at a 70-point pace over a full season. They have already seen him score at a 30-goal pace. They have also seen what he can do when he gets hot, particularly during the second half of last season. Now, the challenge is putting it all together.

If he stays healthy, a 30-goal, 70-point season should be a realistic target. If everything breaks right, he could push beyond that and establish himself as one of the better young forwards in the Western Conference. For the Blues, that could be the difference between having a promising young forward and having a legitimate star. Holloway has already shown the potential. Now, he needs to stay healthy long enough to show just how high his ceiling really is.