Maple Leafs prospect quietly putting together a strong season
Photo credit: Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff
One Toronto Maple Leafs prospect is proving to be one of the teams quickest risers in the system, and they could have a diamond in the rough.
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Miroslav Holinka has emerged as one of the Leafs top prospects, and continues to pace himself as a player with growing NHL potential.
Holinka has become of Toronto's top young talents, going from drafted in the fifth round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, 151st overall, and has managed to take him game to a higher level where early on he has found ways to outplay his original draft position.
Having been viewed in the past as a prospect with potential and skill, Holinka's play this season has allowed for him to become one of the Leafs top performing prospects, and a player showing immense upside.
How Miroslav Holinka has managed to become a top Leafs prospect
Miroslav Holinka was a player who had been underrated in his draft year, starting the season in the Czech U20 league before making the jump to the pro Extraliga, scoring three points in 16 games in his draft year, with 41 points in 29 games at the U20 level.
Since coming to the WHL, Holinka has managed to translate well to playing on North American ice thanks to a mature defensive game, but it's his offensive production that has helped Holinka grow his stock.
Holinka had a respectable first person in the WHL with the Edmonton Oil Kings, scoring 45 points in 47 games along with 19 goals.
This season, Holinka has managed to quickly smash last season's production, already having surpassed his point totals before the end of 2025 with 47 points in just 31 games with the Oil Kings, having 18 goals and 28 points, leading the team in goals, assists, & points.
Holinka's recent play has been a positive, having seven goals and 17 points in his last 10 games for Edmonton, fifth in the WHL in points on the season.
Of note, as of the writing of this article, Holinka had a hat trick on the night against the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
Holinka has emerged as a two-way center who has been able to grow his offensive game and build up more of his game as a leader for the Oil Kings.
What scouts are saying about Miroslav Holinka's game
Miroslav Holinka has been credited throughout the season by analysts for his offensive breakout and defensive IQ and overall growth.
Earlier in the season, Daily Faceoff prospect writer Steven Ellis wrote on Holinka, noting his growth as a prospect who went from under the radar to being a strong point producer:
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.
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.
Analytics also show Holinka has clear upside and a well-rounded game, with tools that have a good shot at translating at the pro level.
At the very least, Holinka at the junior level has outplayed his draft position, and has managed to become a bright spot in the Leafs prospect pool.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 29 | 1457 ANSWERS Maple Leafs prospect quietly putting together a strong season Will Miroslav Holinka make the NHL? | ||
| Yes | 955 | 65.5 % |
| No | 502 | 34.5 % |
| List of polls | ||