Blues Win Big in Battle for Oilers Stars Broberg and Holloway

The St. Louis Blues made a significant move by securing Philip Broberg from the Edmonton Oilers, who were at risk of losing the defenseman as various teams showed interest. According to Andy Strickland of Bally Sports Midwest, the Blues were among three clubs ready to extend an offer sheet to Broberg, although it remains unclear if the other two teams formally approached Broberg’s representatives.

Unsigned restricted free agents like Broberg aren’t obligated to accept an offer sheet, emphasizing the competition the Blues faced in their pursuit, besides countering the Oilers’ efforts to keep him. Strickland notes that the Oilers had proposed a two-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of just $1.1 million, considerably below the $4.58 million AAV offer from the Blues.

The lucrative proposal from St. Louis also represented the maximum amount they could offer without having to surrender a 2025 first-round draft pick to Edmonton as compensation.

The disparity in offers suggests Broberg’s camp was aware of the external interest for some time. Considering Broberg’s limited NHL experience and substantial tenure in the minor leagues last season, the Oilers’ offer seemed more aligned with his market value.

Comparatively, the Oilers had extended a three-year deal to another player, Dylan Holloway, worth $1.05 million annually, as per Strickland. Holloway eventually signed with the Blues under a two-year, $2.29 million AAV contract, despite having scored fewer than 10 NHL goals in nearly 90 appearances. The Blues’ willingness to invest over $2 million AAV illustrates the challenge of managing cap space while recognizing the potential of developing players.

To offset these pricier investments, the Oilers brought in Vasily Podkolzin from the Vancouver Canucks. Selected just two picks after Broberg in the 2019 draft, Podkolzin carries a comparable $1 million AAV for the next two seasons, closely mirroring what was offered to Holloway.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman suggests that by allowing Holloway and potentially Broberg to depart, the Oilers aim to preserve in-season cap flexibility. This strategic decision could permit General Manager Stan Bowman to enhance the roster near the trade deadline, as the team looks to reach the Stanley Cup Final again. According to PuckPedia, maintaining approximately $946K in season-opening cap space could culminate in around $4.4 million available for acquisitions by March 6, providing the Oilers added agility in their championship pursuit.