In a bold move that sent shockwaves through the hockey world, St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong made a strategic decision to execute dual offer sheets against the Edmonton Oilers. His calculated risk paid off as the Blues successfully acquired defenseman Philip Broberg and forward Dylan Holloway.
The Oilers decided not to match the offer sheets before the deadline, receiving compensation of a second-round pick for Broberg and a third-rounder for Holloway. Additionally, Edmonton acquired a 2028 third-round draft pick and unsigned 2023 fifth-round pick Paul Fischer from St. Louis in a separate transaction.
Armstrong defended his decision, stating, “I’ve read what people are writing. If there is a GM code not to do offer sheets, no one emailed it to me. This is a tool that I think everyone uses and should use… So, there’s no code. I did talk to some people in the league… Offer sheets are there if you think you’re going to get the player.”
The Blues paid a hefty price for the two players, with Broberg signing a two-year deal worth $4,580,917 per season and Holloway’s offer coming in at $2,290,457 per year on a two-year term. Armstrong emphasized that the goal was to add talent to the team and not to deliberately harm the Oilers’ salary cap situation.
Armstrong also dispelled rumors that the offer sheets were influenced by personal relationships, stating, “I think it was reported that I wouldn’t have done this to Kenny Holland. That’s the furthest thing from the truth. Quite honestly, I’d do it to my mother if she was managing the Oilers. My job is to take care of the St. Louis Blues fans and the St. Louis Blues organization. We saw an opportunity to do that.”
It was revealed that there was significant interest in Broberg from other NHL teams, with his agent Darren Ferris disclosing that multiple teams were prepared to submit offer sheets. Ferris mentioned that the Oilers’ offer to Broberg was for two years at a $1.1 million average annual value.
The chess match between the Blues and Oilers showcased the competitive nature of NHL front offices, with Armstrong making a bold statement about his commitment to improving his team’s roster. As the dust settles, only time will tell if the offer sheets were a masterstroke or a risky gamble in the world of professional hockey.
