In a recent hockey saga filled with twists and turns, the St. Louis Blues made waves with their dual offer sheets targeting the Edmonton Oilers last month. General manager Stan Bowman of the Oilers spoke to TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun, shedding light on the situation and the aftermath of the controversial move.
Bowman made it clear that he harbors no ill will towards the Blues despite their aggressive tactics. “No, I think things are fine,” Bowman asserted. “I’ve known Doug a long time. He’s a very bright guy, a good person.”
Highlighting the competitive nature of the NHL, Bowman emphasized that grudges serve no purpose in the grand scheme of things. “He was trying to do what he could to make his team better,” Bowman explained. “Once you get past the surprise of it, and you then roll your sleeves up and get to work on what you want to do, I don’t think there’s any value in holding grudges.”
The Blues made headlines on August 10th by offering restricted free agents Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway two-year deals, with Broberg’s salary set at $4.58 million per year and Holloway’s at $2.29 million per year. This move required some intricate maneuvering, including re-acquiring a 2025 second-round pick from the Pittsburgh Penguins to sign Broberg.
After seven days, the Oilers opted not to match the offer sheets, allowing Broberg and Holloway to join the Blues. In exchange for their agreement, the Oilers received prospect defenseman Paul Fischer and a 2028 third-round pick from St. Louis.
Blues’ general manager Doug Armstrong defended his actions, stating that his focus was on improving his team rather than personal motives. “Stan and I have a good relationship,” Armstrong said. “Our teams played a lot. We’re friends, and it’s just part of the business that you understand going in.”
Despite the drama surrounding the offer sheets, both Bowman and Armstrong maintain a level of mutual respect, understanding the cutthroat nature of the hockey business. The NHL landscape is always evolving, and in the end, it’s all just part of the game.
