The St. Louis Blues shocked the NHL world by not only using an offer sheet on one Edmonton Oilers player but taking the risk to double up on the tactic. The team announced on Tuesday that they had tendered offer sheets for defenseman Philip Broberg and forward Dylan Holloway, both restricted free agents with the Oilers. This move is a bold strategy considering the Oilers are already facing salary cap constraints, being over $350,000 above the salary cap limit.
Edmonton, who recently added new players through free agency, including forwards Viktor Arvidsson, Jeff Skinner, and defenseman Josh Brown, is now in a tough spot. The offer sheets total a significant amount, with Broberg offered a two-year contract worth $4.58 million annually and Holloway for $2.29 million annually. With only seven days to match, the Oilers must quickly assess their financial situation and figure out a way to fit both players under the cap.
Should the Oilers choose not to match the offer sheets for Broberg and Holloway, they will be compensated with draft picks. The Blues would owe a second-round pick for Broberg and a third-rounder for Holloway. To secure the necessary picks for compensation, the Blues had to work out a deal with the Penguins.
Broberg and Holloway are part of the latest wave of homegrown talents to make their mark in the NHL. Both players have split their time between the NHL and AHL, with the expectation that they will have a more prominent role in the upcoming season. Broberg showed promise in his 12 games last season, particularly during the playoffs, where he scored three points in 10 games. Holloway’s performance also stood out, with six goals and nine points in 38 games last season, and five goals and seven points in 25 playoff games.
While the Oilers are scrambling to balance their books, the Blues have a more comfortable salary cap situation with over $7 million in cap space. This gives them the upper hand in this offer sheet scenario, putting pressure on the Oilers to make tough financial decisions. The Blues’ strategic move to target Broberg and Holloway puts them in a strong position to potentially add two talented players to their roster.
The St. Louis Blues have taken a significant gamble by tendering offer sheets to two Edmonton Oilers players. This bold strategy reveals the competitive nature of NHL teams when it comes to securing top talent in the league. The financial implications for the Oilers are challenging, as they must now navigate their cap situation within a short timeframe. On the other hand, the Blues have positioned themselves well with ample cap space to potentially acquire Broberg and Holloway if the Oilers are unable to match the offer sheets. This situation highlights the complexities of NHL contract negotiations and the high stakes involved in building and maintaining a competitive roster.