Maple Leafs Hidden Gem Drawing Serious Attention From NHL Scouts
Photo credit: Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff
One Toronto Maple Leaf prospect is rapidly gaining notice within the organization after a strong start to his season.
Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Miroslav Holinka is drawing praise early in the season after a strong start that is adding to his NHL potential.
Holinka was a fifth round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2024 NHL Draft, 151st overall. Holinka was drafted out of Czechia, where he had three points in 16 games in the Czech Extraliga, the country's highest men's tier.
Coming over from Europe to North America with the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League, Holinka has quietly showcased his overall translatability, having 19 goals and 45 points in 47 games while being a defensively responsible center.
Prospect Report Hypes Up Holinka's Hot Start
Daily Faceoff hockey prospect analyst Steven Ellis mentioned Miroslav Holinka as one of five WHL prospects making a name for himself early in the season:
Miroslav Holinka has gotten some early season credit out of a strong start with the Oil Kings, starting his D+2 with seven goals and 13 points in nine games.
He was never a big-time prospect, but the move to Edmonton proved fruitful for his development. The Oil Kings are downright scary, and Holinka is a big reason why. He has points in all but two games - the two the Oil Kings have lost. - Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff
He was never a big-time prospect, but the move to Edmonton proved fruitful for his development. The Oil Kings are downright scary, and Holinka is a big reason why. He has points in all but two games - the two the Oil Kings have lost. - Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff
Ellis has previously given credit to Miroslav Holinka's skill, mentioning him earlier in the offseason as a player who has clear likable potential.
The Czech forward is a reliable two-way threat who does a lot in his own zone. Scouts like how he supports his defenders and that he's willing to block shots and get in the way of scoring chances.
The NHL Potential Of Miroslav Holinka
Steven Ellis in his article admits that he doesn't know what Miroslav Holinka's upside is going to be, but Holinka has some highly projectable tools for the pro level.
Holinka has already shown his maturity after going from Czechia to Canada without missing much in terms of being able to adapt to the smaller ice.
The Leafs prospect has been a slippery offensive generator who has managed to really grow his game as he gets older and dominates, but has also refined his defensive game more to be a major strength.
Holinka could stay at center at the pro level, and potentially projects in the bottom-six as an NHLer, a possible third line center.
He doesn't have a high upside, but there's a lot of reliability in Miroslav Holinka's game, and he's showing the potential that's still untapped and could continue to grow into one of Toronto's top prospects for the future.
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