Wise people often remind others to never say never. And if the case of Bud Holloway plays out as expected over the next few days, it may provide case-in-point #489.
For those unfamiliar, here’s the crib note version of the story:
– June 2006, just a few months after Dean Lombardi was hired as Kings GM, the team drafts Holloway in the third round (86th overall, a pick that LA originally acquired from Philadelphia in the trade for Jeremy Roenick. There’s always a Flyers connection, isn’t there?).
– Holloway played two more years with the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds, improving his point totals each season and culminating with 43 goals and 83 points in 2007-08.
– The following season he split time between the AHL and ECHL. With the Ontario Reign he posted 22 points in 23 regular season games, plus added another nine points in seven playoff games.
– Each of the next two seasons Holloway was the leading points producer in Manchester, accumulating 47 points (19 goals and 28 assists) in 2009-10 and 61 points the following year (his 28 goals also led the team in 2010-11).
– By this point, the 6-foot left wing had also develop his skills off the ice as well, and was named the 2011 Manchester Man of the Year (something he discussed in his last MayorsManor interview here).
– Feeling he wasn’t going to make the Kings’ NHL team the following season, Holloway signed a contract to play in Sweden’s top pro league in the summer of 2011. Lombardi wasn’t too happy with the decision, something he spoke about in a MayorsManor interview here – where he used words such as mind-boggling and frustrating.
– Former teammate Rich Clune also had some fairly candid thoughts about Holloway’s decision in a MayorsManor interview here – where the word ‘frustration’ came up again.
– Overall, Holloway found much success in Sweden, including winning the SEL championship this year with Skelleftea. He also lead the league with 71 points and his 51 assists were 15 more than any other player.
Per a few tweets we posted Saturday, it appears Holloway and the Kings are in the final stages of working out a contract for the 25-year old forward’s return to North America.
We expect to have more details up in the not-so-distant future.
In the meantime, check out those articles referenced above to fill in the gaps on the Holloway-Kings narrative. We’ve also linked them down below for your convenience – along with a Holloway ‘Cribs’ episode.
RELATED CONTENT:
Dean Lombardi on Holloway’s European Vacation
Rich Clune tries to explain why Holloway went to Europe
Bud Holloway talks being named Monarchs ‘Man of the Year’
VIDEO: Sweden ‘Cribs’ episode featuring Bud Holloway
Why the Kings won’t be able to bring back the whole 2013 team – a simple look at their cap issues
Note to webmasters/reporters: When recapping news or interviews from this site please include a link to www.MayorsManor.com
About John Hoven
So psyched to hear he might be coming back!
So you are telling me there’s a chance we have a LW coming in to play next season? Don’t play with my emotions in this way if it’s not true
Brown
Clifford
Holloway
King
not a bad LW group and I like Clifford a lot, though I would like to see King bumped out, Clifford in his spot and a faster skill LWer on the 2nd line.
It will look more like:
Brown
Halloway
Clifford/King
King/Clifford
Tired of seeing King in the lineup. Hopefully we can get Holloway to replace him on the 3rd line. Move Richards to LW on 2nd line with Carter and Toffoli.
I hope they can come to terms. Under terry Murray they miss managed him he had the confidence in himself to take his game to Sweden now he’s in a great position this is his last year of restricted free agency. The kings will have to treat him right in negotiations to sign him or trade his rights if they want to get anything for him. Otherwise he can go back to sweden. For 1 more year and come back next year a complete free agent and negotiate with any of the 30 teams and the kings will get nothing. He was drafted in the same year as j. Bernier and falls in the same category, thats why this year Bernier gets traded also . He’s proved himself clutch, a winner and a offensive threat. The kings need a left wing like him badly.
Oh sure, the guy abandons the organization for two years for some extra cash while costing DL two years on his unrestricted free agency time line and DL is just going to welcome him back with open arms.
Not likely. If there is one thing I learned from DL in following him over the last several years is the importance of character in all his players.
Only thing Holloway proved is he’ll abandon his organization at the first sign of trouble or hardship.
No thanks.
Rayk >>>>>>>> holloway