BREAKING NEWS: St louis Blues ice hockey Left Winger Dylan Holloway is the odd man out for st louis blues now with Edmonton oilers also sent a message st louis blues head coach Jim Montgomery concerning…see more

In an unexpected twist that has stunned the St. Louis hockey community, Dylan Holloway, the once-celebrated left winger for the St. Louis Blues, now finds himself marginalized by his team amid a storm of internal friction and growing speculation about his future. But what truly turns this story into a league-wide spectacle is the involvement of the Edmonton Oilers, Holloway’s former team, who have now reportedly reached out to Blues head coach Jim Montgomery with a cryptic and highly pointed message.

The message? According to multiple NHL insiders, Edmonton warned that St. Louis is “squandering elite talent,” and suggested they would be “open to discussions” about a potential reunion—a suggestion that many see as both a veiled criticism and a subtle challenge to Montgomery’s authority.

Holloway’s Rocky St. Louis Tenure Takes a Downward Turn

Dylan Holloway’s journey from Edmonton to St. Louis began with high hopes. After being traded during the 2024 offseason as part of a major deal involving draft picks and prospect reshuffling, Holloway was seen as a dynamic addition to a Blues lineup aiming to retool and rejuvenate its forward corps.

At first, things looked promising. Holloway contributed 14 goals and 17 assists through the first half of the 2024–25 season and showed flashes of brilliance on the second line. But sources within the organization now say Holloway’s aggressive, high-speed play style and vocal personality clashed with Montgomery’s system and leadership style.

By March, tensions had begun to surface. Holloway was moved off the power-play unit, benched for two games without a public explanation, and later demoted to the fourth line for what the team called “rotational purposes.” But fans and analysts weren’t buying it.

“You don’t rotate out a guy like Holloway unless there’s something going on behind the scenes,” said former Blues captain David Backes, now an analyst for NHL Network.

Now, insiders report that Holloway has become the “odd man out” in a locker room increasingly dominated by internal politics and inconsistent strategies.

Oilers Break the Silence: A Message to Montgomery

What came next has the entire NHL buzzing: the Edmonton Oilers, led by General Manager Ken Holland, reportedly sent a formal inquiry to Blues head coach Jim Montgomery and the front office. The message, while diplomatic, was unmistakable in tone.

“We see great potential going underutilized,” part of the message reportedly read. “If the fit isn’t right in St. Louis, we’re happy to have that conversation.”

Though no official trade proposal has been made public, the message’s intent was clear—Edmonton wants Holloway back, and they’re willing to make it happen.

This kind of direct organizational outreach, especially from a player’s former team, is extremely rare in the NHL. It’s viewed by many insiders as a deliberate statement of dissatisfaction with how St. Louis is handling a player they once saw as a key piece of their future.

Jim Montgomery Responds with Cold Precision

When asked during a press conference if he had heard from the Oilers about Holloway, Jim Montgomery didn’t mince words.

“We don’t make decisions based on outside opinions,” he said flatly. “Dylan is part of this organization—for now. Whether he stays depends on how he chooses to commit to the system.”

The phrase “for now” sparked immediate media frenzy, echoing similar language used recently by other coaches in turbulent player-coach relationships. Online reaction was swift, with Blues fans taking to social media to question Montgomery’s leadership style and strategic inflexibility.

The hashtag #FreeHolloway began trending within hours.

Tension in the Locker Room

Sources close to the team describe a growing divide in the locker room. Some veterans, including captain Brayden Schenn, are reportedly trying to mediate the situation behind closed doors. Others, particularly younger players who view Holloway as a mentor and energetic presence, are said to be quietly frustrated with how the situation is unfolding.

“Dylan brings intensity, speed, and character,” one anonymous teammate told The Athletic. “Not sure why he’s being made into the scapegoat.”

Team chemistry, once a strength for the Blues, appears increasingly fragile.

Holloway’s Side of the Story

While Dylan Holloway has remained mostly professional and reserved in public appearances, he offered a telling comment in a recent post-skate interview:

“You want to be somewhere you’re trusted. That’s all I’ll say.”

He declined to comment further, but those close to him—including former Oilers teammates and his own agent—have reportedly urged him to consider requesting a trade before the 2025–26 season begins.

Rumors are also swirling that Holloway is seeking guidance from former coach Jay Woodcroft, who worked with him in Edmonton and is said to remain a close advisor.

What Could a Trade Look Like?

If St. Louis decides to move Holloway, the question becomes: what could they get in return?

Several insiders believe Edmonton may be willing to offer prospect forward Xavier Bourgault, along with a conditional draft pick or a veteran defenseman. But other teams, including the Seattle Kraken and Buffalo Sabres, are reportedly also keeping tabs on the situation.

“There are at least five teams who would love to get their hands on Holloway,” said TSN’s Darren Dreger. “The Blues need to decide quickly whether he’s part of their future—or someone else’s.”

Fanbase Split Down the Middle

Blues fans are divided. Some support Montgomery’s system-first approach and believe Holloway’s style doesn’t fit the team’s vision. Others, however, view the potential loss of Holloway as emblematic of broader mismanagement within the franchise.

“This team always seems to misfire when it comes to developing talent,” one longtime fan posted on Reddit. “From Jordan Kyrou’s early benchings to this Holloway mess—it’s a pattern.”

Edmonton fans, on the other hand, are watching gleefully. The possibility of Holloway reuniting with the likes of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman has them dreaming of a more explosive second line.