In a bold move that has left the hockey world buzzing, the St. Louis Blues have made a statement with two key acquisitions via offer sheets. General manager Doug Armstrong’s strategic maneuvering has brought defenseman Philip Broberg and forward Dylan Holloway to the Blues as the team gears up for a strong playoff push this season.
The Blues’ successful pursuit of both Broberg and Holloway has been met with praise from the team’s players. Goaltender Jordan Binnington expressed his admiration for the management’s confidence in the team, stating, “It’s good to see some fight from the management in order to show confidence in our team to be better, faster and be more competitive. And I think we can feed off that.”
Forward Robert Thomas echoed Binnington’s sentiments, highlighting the excitement surrounding the addition of two players who played significant roles in Edmonton’s recent playoff run. “It’s pretty exciting, two players who played a role in Edmonton’s deep Stanley Cup Playoff run and good young pieces,” Thomas said. “We’ve got a lot of young guys who aren’t necessarily prospects but have had a good taste of the playoffs at this level. It’s really exciting to be part of the Blues right now.”
The offer sheets, which were executed last week, marked a significant moment in NHL history as the first dual offer sheets of the cap era. Edmonton ultimately decided not to match the offers, resulting in the Blues securing Broberg and Holloway. As compensation, the Blues sent a second-round pick for Broberg and a third-round pick for Holloway to the Oilers.
However, the acquisition of Broberg and Holloway came at a cost for the Blues. In addition to the draft picks traded to Edmonton, the team had to part ways with their own 2025 second-rounder, which was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins to acquire Broberg. This intricate series of draft pick maneuvers showcases the lengths Armstrong and the Blues were willing to go to secure their desired players.
Broberg, 23, signed a two-year deal with the Blues worth $4,580,917 per season. The defenseman had a solid season with the Oilers, contributing two assists in 12 regular-season games and two goals and an assist in 10 playoff games, including the Stanley Cup Final. Holloway, 22, was selected 14th overall by the Oilers in the 2020 draft and split time between the NHL club and AHL’s Bakersfield Condors this past season. He posted six goals and nine points in 38 games with the Oilers and added five goals and two assists in 25 playoff games.
As the Blues brace themselves for the upcoming season with their new additions, the hockey world is eagerly anticipating how Broberg and Holloway will impact the team’s performance on the ice. With a mix of seasoned veterans and promising young talent, St. Louis seems poised for a successful campaign as they set their sights on a return to playoff glory.
