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Two weeks ago, two things would have been unthinkable. First, that Philip Broberg would earn $4.6 million and Dylan Holloway $2.3 million this season. Second, that the Edmonton Oilers would only get modest second-round draft picks for the trade of Broberg and Holloway.

But both things happened.

The move was announced last night when Frank Seravalli of the Daily Faceoff, one of the NHL’s top insiders, said he wouldn’t be surprised if Holloway and Broberg went to the Blues. On Tuesday morning around 7 a.m., Ryan Rishaug of TSN confirmed this: “I fully expect Broberg and Holloway to go to the St. Louis Blues today. The Oilers will not undercut the offers.”

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As of July 1, the Oilers have now said goodbye to three of their top seven defensemen from the 2024 playoffs: Vincent Desharnais, Cody Ceci and Philip Broberg.

They have lost three of their fastest, youngest and most talented players in Ryan McLeod, Dylan Holloway and Broberg.

The St. Louis Blues have put the Oilers in a bind on this one. Offers are rare in the NHL, but as former NHL GM Brian Lawton said on Oilers Now this week: “You shouldn’t be surprised when something like this happens. As a team leader, you are asked to look for dangers behind every tree and take them into account.”

Oilers GM Ken Holland was advised to sign Holloway and Broberg last winter, but neither has panned out. Hockey president Jeff Jackson has spent far more than the salary cap this summer, leaving Edmonton with little room to maneuver.

This incident represents a major blow to the franchise and a failure of Oilers management.

Over the past week, Jackson and new GM Stan Bowman have obviously tried to create salary space but have not been successful, possibly due to the unclear Evander Kane situation. Will Kane be placed on the long-term injured list or not?

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When this reality hit home on Tuesday, the hockey world and the oil industry responded as follows:

Former NHL player Jordan Schmaltz
I believe the additions this weekend give the Oilers flexibility in roster moves. Ty Emberson only played two years for Kris Knoblauch in Hartford (AHL) and has developed into what most consider to be at least a third line defenseman. I don’t think he has the potential that Broberg could have. Whether Broberg gets there depends on many factors, but Emberson is a serviceable defenseman and a quality young pro who is at a similar stage of his career as PB.

In attack, Vasili Podkolzin is in a very similar phase to Dylan Hollywood. So far, we have NHL fringe players. Former first-round picks trying to find their way to the National League. Is it risky to risk everything and not bring back both guys, or one of two, or even two of two? Yes, but that’s the sport and so far, neither player is giving you sleepless nights.

Elliott Friedman of Sportsnet
There are 75 minutes left until the deadline to match the offers of Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway … but judging by last week’s trades (adding a young defenseman and a young forward), it appears the Oilers will not match and allow both players to go to St. Louis.

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Ottawa Citizens hockey writer Bruce Garrioch
The Blues’ two-year offer was brilliant. In the second year, it’s almost impossible for Edmonton to field a competitive team in 2025-26 when Bouchard and Draisaitl have new contracts. #NHL

Oilers fan TJ @PotratzHockey
So why the hell did we make room for the salary cap??? This is a complete failure in many ways

St. Louis hockey commentator Andy Strickland
Last night, sources indicated that the Oilers would not be extending an offer to Broberg or Holloway. The point of an offer is to get the player, not to take advantage of the opposing team. It looks like the #stlblues are accomplishing what they set out to do. If so, then St. Louis’ talent pool is deep with players under the age of 25.

Oilers fan PDOKing @Kinger999
I think Phillip Broberg has sealed the deal and signed the biggest contract of his life.
I think Dylan Holloway made a little more money and cost himself a little, but he also signed the biggest contract of his life.
If the reports are true, the Oilers would be wise to enter both.

Oilers fan Shannon Baerwald @ShannonBaerwald
From brilliant mastery in July to utter incompetence in August. The Bowman era doesn’t impress me at all. I hope they have a plan to trade the picks for a 2nd RHD because they just lost a top 4 defenseman for a 2nd round pick 🤯 At least they got a 3rd pair defenseman for Ceci 🤪

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Oilers fan Karman Gill
This garbage D-core will definitely win us the trophy

Oilers fan Avi Goldberg
The Oilers’ management has not appeared tough, calm or even professional over the past seven days by choosing not to say a single word to the fans or the hockey world about the offer documents accepted by Broberg & Holloway.

TSN’s Ryan Rishaug @TSNRyanRishaug
I fully expect Broberg and Holloway to go to the St. Louis Blues today. The Oilers will not match the offers.

Strickland of St. Louis
The St. Louis Blues were one of three #NHL teams willing to sign Philip Broberg with an offer sheet… The Oilers’ original offer to Phillip Broberg was a 2-year contract with an AAV of $1.1 million. Edmonton’s offer to Dylan Holloway was reportedly a 3-year contract with $1.050 million.

Sportsnet hockey columnist Mark Spector🇨🇦🇺🇦 @SportsnetSpec
So the salary cap is the most important thing for the Oilers?
If they let their youngest striker and defender go, as is now expected, they will simply surround the core with a flexible squad of short-term veterans ready to chase the trophy with 97 and 29 points.
Flexibility in deadlines is more valuable than development.
Fascinating approach.

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