Blues Tender Offer Sheets to Oilers’ Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway
This morning started with unexpected news: the St. Louis Blues, after announcing a trade with the Penguins, revealed that they had tendered offer sheets to two key players from the Edmonton Oilers—Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway.
Doug Armstrong, the Blues’ GM, made strategic moves, including acquiring the necessary draft pick compensation in case the Oilers decide not to match the offer sheets for Broberg and Holloway. This rarely-used tactic has sparked controversy among fans for various reasons. The Oilers now have seven days to match the offers while remaining within 10% of the salary cap ceiling. Retaining both players is possible, but it raises several questions.
Is Philip Broberg worth $4.58 million per season? His performance in eight playoff games last season was impressive, but whether this reflects his consistency is a crucial question for Oilers management. Given the team’s already shallow defensive unit, losing him would be costly.
As for Dylan Holloway, while he’s a talented player who many hoped would get more top-six minutes, he might be replaceable by someone like Savoie, whom the team recently acquired. Despite this, retaining Holloway could still be worthwhile, though Broberg should be the priority, considering the Oilers have more forward options.
Some fans are directing their frustration at the players for agreeing to these offer sheets or at the Blues and Doug Armstrong for making the offers. However, the real blame might lie with Ken Holland and the Oilers’ management for undervaluing these players and blocking their development with overpaid veterans. The Oilers could have signed these players to reasonable contracts earlier or used them as valuable trade assets.
The Oilers have a few options moving forward. One is to make cap space to retain both players by moving Cody Ceci, who has struggled recently and has a $3.25 million cap hit. Additionally, placing Kane on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) could free up $5.125 million, enough to keep both Broberg and Holloway. However, Kane will likely return before his no-movement clause ends, requiring further cap adjustments mid-season.
Another option is to choose between Broberg and Holloway. Broberg seems the more crucial piece, as his role addresses more of the team’s needs.
Lastly, the Oilers could let both players walk and accept the second- and third-round draft picks as compensation. This would provide flexibility to pursue other players, perhaps even targeting some big-name free agents like Adam Larsson or Taylor Hall.
This morning’s developments have surely set the Oilers’ front office abuzz, with more updates likely to follow.
