Oilers Reporter Suggests Philip Broberg Situation Would Have Been Different With Ken Holland

PUBLICATION

Ryan Hall
November 3, 2024 (9:07 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

The Oilers continue to be marred in a slow start which has been exasperated by the early returns of Philip Broberg's performance with the St Louis Blues which leads many fans to question the decision by general manager Stan Bowman not signing him.

Oilers reporter Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal gave his take on the decision by Bowman not to sign the young defenseman and if things would have been different if former general manager Ken Holland would still be in control of the organization.

»Would the Oilers have matched on Broberg if Ken Holland was still Oilers' GM? Broberg was his first draft pick in 2019 and you know the long-lasting faith GMs have in their draft picks? Stan Bowman knows his stuff but had no allegiance to Broberg.» - Jim Matheson, The Edmonton Journal

Broberg has currently 9 points through 11 games and has been a force with the Blues as we have seen significant ice time. The Oilers faced the choice to either retain Broberg to his offer sheet that was worth 4.58 million AAV over two years or cutting him loose and allowing him to play for their other Western Conference rival.

The Oilers cap situation was difficult as the team still needs to sign Evan Bouchard to a long-term extension which will require significant capital to get the job done. But the Oilers are weakened of younger star power and speed with Broberg no longer in the lineup and having Broberg would have helped the blue line as he has clearly taken a step forward in his game and could have been an option for head coach Kris Knoblauch.

History will be the judge on this decision, and it remains to be seen on how the Oilers will evolve and improve their game without Broberg but in the end they had an opportunity to lock up one of their promising young defensemen who are at a premium league wide.