In a surprising move, the St. Louis Blues made a bold double offer sheet play against the Edmonton Oilers, re-acquiring their own 2025 second-round pick from the Pittsburgh Penguins. This strategic move paved the way for the Blues to extend offer sheets to forward Dylan Holloway and defenseman Philip Broberg of the Oilers.
The Blues regained their 2025 second-rounder, originally part of the Kevin Hayes trade to Pittsburgh, along with a 2026 fifth-round pick. In return, they sent a 2026 second-round pick and a 2025 third-round pick (from the Ottawa Senators) to the Penguins. This shrewd maneuver by St. Louis positioned them to potentially secure the services of Holloway and Broberg through offer sheets.
The offer to Broberg is a lucrative two-year contract worth $4,580,917 annually, requiring a second-round draft pick as compensation if Edmonton does not match the offer. Similarly, the offer to Holloway is for a two-year deal at $2,290,457 per year, necessitating a third-round pick as compensation if the Oilers opt not to retain him. With Edmonton having seven days to respond to the offer sheets, the hockey world will be watching closely to see how they react.
It is worth noting that on June 29, the Blues traded Hayes to the Penguins along with a 2025 second-round pick in exchange for future considerations. This preceding move laid the groundwork for St. Louis’s subsequent dealings with Pittsburgh and Edmonton, showcasing the intricate web of transactions in NHL player movement.
As the offer sheet saga unfolds, the Blues and the Oilers are embroiled in a high-stakes game of contract negotiations and draft pick compensation. Only time will tell how this chess match of player acquisitions will ultimately play out in the competitive landscape of professional hockey.
