The hockey world is concentrated on Edmonton and what is going to occur between the Oilers and Connor McDavid; nevertheless, a number of elements have introduced the 2 events thus far, with the most important one being the provide sheets to Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg.
All of us keep in mind that on August thirteenth, 2024, the St. Louis Blues despatched two provide sheets, one to Holloway and one to Broberg. Each had been signed and accepted by the gamers. New Oilers Common Supervisor Stan Bowman wanted to determine inside seven days whether or not to match the provide sheets or obtain the correct compensation from the Blues and Common Supervisor Doug Armstrong.
Can the Edmonton Oilers Survive Dropping Each Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg?
We all know how the situation performed out, and the Oilers didn’t match the provide sheets, shedding two key younger gamers who had been important items of their first journey to the Stanley Cup Closing in 2024. Nevertheless, wanting into even additional, Bowman was thrown right into a situation that he ought to have by no means been in by the CEO of Hockey Operations, Jeff Jackson.
Jackson let former GM Ken Holland go earlier than the beginning of Free Company in 2024, and Jackson dealt with that free company interval, prioritizing signing veteran gamers over the younger guys within the system. This rubbed Dylan Holloway the unsuitable means as he instructed Andy Strickland and Cam Janssen on the Cam and Strick Podcast earlier within the week.
“It rubbed me the unsuitable means how little Edmonton considered me in our contract negotiations. I’m an Alberta boy, I needed to return to a staff we went thus far with, however as quickly as Edmonton didn’t reciprocate that feeling, I used to be all in on St. Louis,” Holloway stated.
Not stunned to see these feedback from Holloway.
The group wanted to decide on him and Broberg lengthy earlier than these provide sheets got here. An excessive amount of up & down
And these guys wanted to be the first order of enterprise however once more not having a GM in place final July 1 has… https://t.co/HIX9CcOfZa
— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) September 2, 2025
Edmonton Oilers Had a Prime 4 Defenseman in Philip Broberg
And Holloway has each proper to really feel this fashion. Edmonton mishandled Broberg and Holloway all through their improvement contained in the group. Whether or not it was Jackson himself, Holland, or members of the employees, there by no means gave the impression to be a perception in Holloway or Broberg or else these guys would have been given contracts on or earlier than July 1, 2024.
This began by not having a GM in place on July 1. Jeff Jackson mad the calls and as a substitute of taking good care of Broberg & Holloway the Oilers obtained slower.
I discussed this to @stevekouleas when he talked in regards to the Oilers a couple of in the past on @SiriusXMNHL. Wanted a GM in place.… https://t.co/KSFrTxKyKG
— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) April 24, 2025
As NHLRumors.com documented final yr when these provide sheets occurred, the Oilers ought to have matched these contracts. Whereas Leon Draisaitl was a precedence and the cash may not have been there, Edmonton misplaced two key depth items on its roster that might have performed essential roles this season.
Keep in mind, over the course of final season, Broberg and Holloway had been often known as up and down from the AHL, and there was by no means a transparent improvement plan in place for both participant. Nothing was offered to both participant. You noticed what each gamers did within the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, particularly Broberg, who stepped up within the Stanley Cup Closing and performed strongly defensively.
That robust play carried over to the Blues this season. Holloway set profession highs with 63 factors (26 objectives and 37 assists) in 77 video games taking part in top-six minutes for the Blues underneath head coach Jim Montgomery. In the meantime, Broberg, earlier than his harm, was proving why the Oilers wanted to maintain him the best way he slotted into the Blues’ high 4 so seamlessly. Broberg completed the season averaging round 16 minutes of ice time, recording profession highs with 29 factors (eight objectives and 21 assists) in 68 video games.
What the Edmonton Oilers Provided Philip Broberg and Their Want for Higher Improvement Paths
Once more, Jeff Jackson put present Oilers GM Stan Bowman in a tricky spot for not having a GM in place on July 1st, 2024. Nonetheless, the mishandling of those gamers by Edmonton left a nasty style of their mouths as they appeared for the alternatives they felt they deserved elsewhere.
Simply think about if Broberg and Holloway had been nonetheless on the staff; possibly this Connor McDavid extension wouldn’t be taking as lengthy, as a result of he is aware of what this staff is able to down the street.
Have you ever subscribed to our YouTube channel? Rumor roundups and scorching matters from across the league. We’re additionally posting some stuff on Instagram.
