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# 2026 T25U25: Miroslav Holinka is #7
- URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2026-t25u25-miroslav-holinka-is-7/
- Published: 2026-09-08T12:00:36.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-08T12:00:36.000Z
- Description: Miro the Hero is turning pro after a strong end to his junior career.
- Author: Brian S
- Tags: Top 25 Under 25

As a fifth-round pick, Holinka is already on a path to working out as a pretty solid draft choice. While he's still not a certainty to become any kind of regular NHL player, of all of Toronto's prospects that seem like they could maaaaaaaybe get there, but aren't in that tier of the guys who clearly could, he is arguably the most interesting. 

| Miroslav Holinka | Vitals |
| ---------------- | ------ |
| Age as of July 1 | 20.64  |
| Position         | C      |
| Height           | 6'2"   |
| Weight (lbs)     | 188    |
| Shoots           | R      |
| Draft Year       | 2024   |
| Draft Number     | 151    |

### The Player

When Holinka was drafted in the summer of 2024, he had the reputation for being a strong two-way center. That reputation has stuck for him as he moved from his native Czechia junior and pro leagues to the Edmonton Oil Kings in the WHL. In his D+1 season, he was used as a middle six center as a sometimes top PP more often second PP unit guy. He finished just under a point per game, which isn't great production for a D+1 player. He also played for Czechia at the World Juniors that year. 

In his final year of junior back with the Oil Kings, Holinka had a big year. He was Edmonton's top center, was used heavily in all situations, and finished the year as one of the league's top offensive players – especially in terms of scoring goals. He also carried a heavy load for them in the playoffs, where they lost in a closely fought first round series against Olsen and Williams' Saskatoon Blades. In the 7 game series, he had 7 goals and 11 points – he led the team in goals and points by 4.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/2026/09/image.png)

But beyond that, Holinka will likely never be known as a top offensive producer despite having a good amount of skill as a puck handler, shooter, and even as a playmaker. His point production was nice, but he was one of the older players in the league and he wasn't in that very upper tier for offense. He'll probably be more of a bottom six NHLer if he sticks in the league at all, where his ability to chip in on offense – especially on a PP2 role – is secondary to his ability to play a strong defensive and play driving game. 

In this sense, Holinka represents a kind of discount version of Fraser Minten, who has a similar profile in terms of strengths, weaknesses, and playing style. But Holinka lags behind in terms of the high level hockey sense, dynamic offensive play, and the consistency of his physical play. 

The big test for him will be this year. Now that he's joining the Marlies, it's a good time to compare him against the likes of Quillan and Haymes. It will be Holinka's age 21 season, the comparative season for Quillan and Haymes where they were both in the NCAA and another year away from signing an NHL contract with the Leafs. In that sense, Holinka is already a bit ahead of those two. On the other hand, there's no guarantee that, at his age, he has one more leap left in his development to turn into a noticeably better player than them to the point where he leaves the AHL-NHL tweener tier and into an actually capable NHL depth player tier.

### The Votes

Here's how we the voters ranked him. We're getting to the point where the votes are very close together for the tier of young players that are more clearly in that top 2-3 tiers. Everyone ranked him between 7th and 9th. 

| Voter            | Vote |
| ---------------- | ---- |
| Cathy            | 8    |
| Species          | 7    |
| Hound Line       | 8    |
| Shinson93        | 8    |
| Cameron          | 8    |
| Sclodiggity      | 8    |
| Brian S          | 7    |
| Svalbard38       | 8    |
| Zone Entry       | 9    |
| Hardev           | 9    |
| Adam             | 9    |
| Weighted Average | 8.09 |
| Highest Vote     | 7    |
| Lowest Vote      | 9    |

Personally, I ranked Holinka 7th. He was the very first player in my third tier which was a biiiiiiiig mix of guys that extended all the way to 17th. For me, that means I consider Holinka closer to Fellinger (17th for me) than I do to Danford who I ranked one spot ahead of him at 6th.

### The Opinions

Here's what some of the other voters had to say: 

> **Shinson93**: Holinka has been fun to watch progress these past couple years. He’s got a solid foundation of all around skill. He’s always had the defensive conscience, but has improved his play with the puck, both in skating and making plays in transition. He also has a sneaky good shot. That provides a pretty solid floor. To take another step, I need to see him be able to play and process the game at higher speeds. The AHL should give him that challenge. I have him at the upper end of the range of guys like Quillan and Haymes but see potential to be a bit more with a longer runway.

> **Sclodiggity**: A point-per-game player in the AHL at 20 years old! He’s a stud! Haha. Holinka had one point in one game for the Marlies but does seem to have legit offensive upside to go along with a player otherwise billed as a two-way player. His D+2 year for the Oil Kings was strong (and extremely good for a 5th round pick), but next year on the Marlies will give much better context. I’m hoping he lands on the 2nd line and has an opportunity for more offensive growth, but its also possible he’s a bottom six-er and ask to play a defensive system. Both offer opportunities for growth.

> **Svalbard38**: At the CHL level, points don’t matter unless you’re not getting them, and Holinka got them. This year I wanted to see him continue to grow his game and look like the most important player on the team, and that’s what I saw. Confident on offense and defence, with a solid base of skills to back it up. I rarely felt like his points were clumsy junior points that won’t translate to the next level. He earned what he got, and in the playoffs he was scoring at a goal-per-game pace. The next step is to do it against pros, and while there’s obviously going to be a learning curve I think his game will translate.

> **Cameron**: Holinka quickly grabbed my attention after he put up impressive numbers in international play shortly after being drafted by the Leafs, since then I have been a fan of his. He plays a smart style of hockey and sometimes he can create scoring chances out of nothing. I hope he has success with the Marlies this year.

Now it's your turn. Let us know what you think about Holinka!