Maple Leafs prospect is making it impossible for Toronto to look away
Photo credit: Steven Ellis - Daily Faceoff
Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Miroslav Holinka is tearing it up in the WHL and it's starting to seem like the team has to start keeping a close eye on him.
With all the focus on guys like Easton Cowan and Ben Danford, the Toronto Maple Leafs' other prospects don't necessarily get the same shine. Granted, both men are first-round picks and have a lot of potential, with Cowan showing many glimpses of that in his rookie season.
But there are others like Noah Chadwick, Nick Moldenhauer, and Artur Akhtyamov who have all either started to break out or have shown they have what it takes to make it at the NHL level.
Holy Holinka! Leafs prospect tearing it up in the WHL
Though one name that doesn't get a lot of attention is Miroslav Holinka, as he's a name you don't hear a lot in the regular conversation when it comes to the Maple Leafs pipeline -- but probably should be.
Holinka has been tearing it up recently for the Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL) and has a blistering 65 points in 43 games so far (30 goals, 35 assists), and for good reason:
We previously touched heavily on Holinka as a prospect to watch, and it's clear that he keeps ascending up the ranks of the Maple Leafs system.
Could Holinka be the next big piece of Toronto's future?
His point total puts him seventh in the WHL for scoring (albeit there's a three-way tie for fourth) but it's the fact he's doing it in all facets that's really impressive.
Holinka has four power-play goals as well as four shorthanded goals, while averaging 1.51 points per game. He's also won 46.2% of his face-offs and holding a plus-28 rating.
Toronto needs a two-way center of the future, and Holinka has shown more than just a knack defensively and could be considered a player who is equally impactful at both ends of the ice. He's big, he plays smart, and has great hands all round.
They very well may have one in Miroslav Holinka, and if he continues his current pace then he'll become undeniable to ignore -- and could make his way to the pros sooner than later.
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| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 10|844 ANSWERS Maple Leafs prospect is making it impossible for Toronto to look away Is Miroslav Holinka the Maple Leafs' best prospect? | ||
| Yes | 466 | 55.2 % |
| No | 378 | 44.8 % |
| List of polls | ||