In a dramatic final-hour decision, the Edmonton Oilers opted not to match the offer sheets tendered by the St. Louis Blues for restricted free agents Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway. As a result, both players are now set to join the Central Division with the Blues.
The Blues submitted offer sheets on August 13, and the Oilers ultimately allowed Broberg and Holloway to depart, accepting compensation of second- and third-round picks in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Philip Broberg, a 23-year-old defenseman, will join the Blues on a two-year, $9.16 million contract (with a $4.55 million average annual value). Meanwhile, forward Dylan Holloway, who turns 23 next month, has signed a two-year, $4.58 million deal (with a $2.29 million AAV).
In a separate transaction, the Blues sent their 2028 third-round draft pick and unsigned 2023 fifth-round pick, defenseman Paul Fischer, to Edmonton in exchange for future considerations.
On Sunday, the Oilers made two key trades, acquiring defenseman Ty Emberson from the San Jose Sharks and offloading veteran defenseman Cody Ceci and his $3.25 million AAV, picking up forward Vasily Podkolzin from the Vancouver Canucks. Edmonton appears to be positioning these new acquisitions as replacements for Broberg and Holloway.
The Oilers had the option to retain the players by placing forward Evander Kane on long-term injured reserve, which would have provided cap relief. However, they ultimately chose not to, potentially due to the need to accommodate Kane’s $5.1 million cap hit once he is reactivated.
This marks the first time since 2021 that NHL offer sheets have been successfully used, the last instance being when the Montreal Canadiens declined to match the offer for forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi.
Broberg, originally drafted eighth overall by the Oilers in 2019, played 12 games for Edmonton last season and 49 for their AHL affiliate in Bakersfield, where he tallied 40 points. Holloway, the 14th overall pick in 2020, contributed 25 points in 38 games for the Oilers and seven points in 25 postseason games.
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