Dylan Holloway recently expressed frustration with how the Edmonton Oilers handled negotiations, revealing that the team knew about St. Louis’ offer sheets for him and Philip Broberg well in advance.
Speaking on the “Hockey Sense” podcast with Andy Strickland, Holloway described the situation as “weird” since the Oilers were aware of the offer sheets before negotiations even began.
He felt the Oilers weren’t responsive enough, leaving him with no choice but to sign with St. Louis.
Holloway also mentioned the emotional difficulty of leaving Edmonton, the team that drafted him and is close to his home in Calgary.
However, he acknowledged the opportunity to play for St. Louis as an exciting one. He noted that it was a challenging week as Edmonton decided whether to match the offer sheet, and he sensed that fans were upset with him.
Despite this, his teammates understood his decision, recognizing that hockey is ultimately a business, and sometimes personal interests have to come first.
The author of the article believes it was logical for Holloway’s agent to leverage the offer sheet in negotiations, but disagrees with Holloway’s claim that Edmonton’s approach was “weird.”
The Oilers, constrained by the salary cap, likely had no choice but to play hardball. They needed to stay within budget, which meant pushing for Holloway and Broberg to accept lower contracts, despite the potential discomfort it caused.
The article also discusses the rarity of offer sheets in the NHL, noting that while they are a negotiation tool, they are seldom used.
The author questions whether the Oilers should have taken preemptive steps, such as trading Holloway and Broberg or securing their contracts before the free agency period. However, the team’s tight salary cap situation made such moves difficult.
Finally, Holloway mentioned an ongoing wrist injury, which he described as “mangled,” making it difficult to do certain exercises, although it doesn’t affect his ability to play hockey.
The author concludes by sympathizing with Holloway’s decision to accept a more substantial contract and the chance for more playing time, given the physical risks inherent in the sport.
