In a bold move, the St. Louis Blues have made their intentions clear by tendering offer sheets to two key restricted free agents of the Edmonton Oilers, Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway.
The offer made to Broberg is nothing short of eye-catching – a lucrative two-year contract worth $4,580,917 per year, which stands as the maximum offer requiring a second-round draft pick as compensation. As for Holloway, he was not left behind, with an offer of a two-year contract at $2,290,457 per year on the table, also demanding a third-round draft pick as compensation.
As the hockey world eagerly awaits a response, the Oilers have been given a seven-day window to match the offers put forth by the Blues.
In a statement following the offers, the Blues kept it brief, stating, “The Blues will have no further comment until the Oilers have made their decision as to whether to match the terms of either offer or accept the commensurate compensation.”
Earlier on Tuesday, in a strategic move, St. Louis completed a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins to secure their own 2025 second-round pick, essential for the completion of the offer sheet. The Blues managed to acquire their own 2025 second-rounder and a 2026 fifth-rounder, relinquishing a 2026 second-round pick and a 2025 third-round pick to Pittsburgh.
The pressure is mounting on the Oilers, who find themselves in a tight spot with regards to the salary cap as they deliberate on whether to match the terms proposed by the Blues. Currently sitting $354,167 over the salary cap, Edmonton has a roster composed of 12 forwards, seven defensemen, and two goaltenders, with over $3 million in dead money from previous buyouts lingering on their books.
Broberg and Holloway, the individuals at the center of this offer sheet saga, have had their fair share of ups and downs this past season. Broberg, amidst trade rumors earlier in the year, found himself demoted to the AHL but managed to bounce back and contribute significantly during the playoffs. With a cap hit of $863,334 last season, the 23-year-old defenseman showcased his potential with two assists in 12 regular-season games and an impressive performance of two goals and an assist in 10 postseason games, including all seven games of the Stanley Cup Final.
On the other hand, Holloway, the 22-year-old forward, navigated between the Oilers and the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors throughout the season. With six goals and nine points in 38 NHL games, Holloway also proved his worth during the postseason, tallying five goals and two assists in all 25 games. Drafted 14th overall in 2020, Holloway is now at a crucial juncture as he wraps up his entry-level contract, making the decision even more significant for the Oilers.
As the clock ticks and the hockey world watches with bated breath, the ball is now in the Oilers’ court to make a decision that could potentially alter the course of their team’s future.