The Edmonton Oilers face a challenging decision regarding two of their restricted free agents, Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway, who have received offer sheets from the St. Louis Blues. The Oilers have a limited timeframe to choose whether to match the contracts proposed by the Blues or accept draft pick compensation instead.
Former NHL player and executive Brian Lawton believes that retaining defenseman Philip Broberg is a straightforward decision. In an interview with Bob Stauffer on Oilers Now, Lawton stated that if he were managing the Oilers, he would not let Broberg go. He emphasized the importance of strong defense, particularly for a high-scoring team like Edmonton, asserting that good defense is essential for controlling the game.
Lawton expressed less certainty about Holloway’s future with the team. He noted that the Oilers should only match Holloway’s offer if they view him as a potential Top 6 forward; otherwise, they might be able to forgo his contract given his performance, which included six goals in 38 games last season. Although Holloway was a first-round draft pick, he has not yet reached the expected level of development, while the Blues see potential for him in their lineup.
Broberg’s recent performance includes a strong showing in the AHL, where he scored 38 points, and he also contributed during the playoffs for the Oilers. The Blues have offered Broberg a two-year deal worth approximately $4.58 million annually and Holloway a deal at about $2.29 million per year. These figures exceed what the Oilers have been willing to pay this offseason, but Lawton argues that keeping Broberg is worth the investment. The Oilers’ decision is expected to be clarified in the upcoming days.
The Edmonton Oilers are faced with a crucial decision following the St. Louis Blues’ surprising move to extend offer sheets to their restricted free agents, Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway. The Blues have proposed a two-year contract for Broberg with an average annual value of $4.58 million and a similar deal for Holloway at $2.29 million. The Oilers now have seven days to either match these offers or accept draft pick compensation from St. Louis.
Analyst Brian Lawton argues that the Oilers should prioritize matching the offer for Broberg, highlighting his potential as a top-four defenseman. Lawton believes that while retaining Holloway would be easier due to his lower cap hit, letting go of Broberg could be a mistake given his upside and the Oilers’ need for strong defensive depth.
If the Oilers choose not to match the offers, they would receive a second-round pick for Broberg and a third-round pick for Holloway. However, matching both contracts would put the Oilers over the salary cap, complicating their roster management as they prepare for the upcoming season. The situation underscores the strategic maneuvering by the Blues, who are looking to enhance their roster while the Oilers navigate their financial constraints.
The Edmonton Oilers are considering trading defensemen Cody Ceci and Brett Kulak to alleviate their salary cap issues. With the team currently over the cap and facing pressure from the St. Louis Blues, who have made offer sheets to restricted free agents Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway, the Oilers are exploring all options to create necessary cap space.
Analyst Bruce Garrioch reports that while there is interest in Ceci and Kulak from other teams, the Oilers are in a vulnerable position, which could lead to teams demanding additional compensation, such as a first or second-round draft pick, to take on their contracts. Ceci has one year remaining on his deal with a cap hit of $3.25 million, while Kulak is under contract for two more years at $2.75 million per season.
Although trading these players could provide the Oilers with some financial relief, it raises questions about whether giving up valuable dr
aft picks is worthwhile, especially since the Oilers do not possess their first or second-round picks in 2025. Another option for the Oilers is to place Evander Kane on long-term injured reserve, which would free up some cap space, but this solution is temporary and may not fully address their long-term needs as they prepare for future contract negotiations with key players like Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. The Oilers must make their decision regarding the Blues’ offers by Tuesday, adding urgency to their situation.
Former Edmonton Oilers forward Sam Gagner is aiming to play in his 18th NHL season as he seeks a new contract. Recently celebrating his 35th birthday, Gagner remains optimistic about his playing future. According to Kurt Leavins from the Edmonton Journal, he has been training at his annual Muskoka Hockey camp and hopes to continue his career in the 2024-25 season. There are also discussions about Gagner potentially staying with the Oilers in a player development role, although this has not been confirmed. Last season, Gagner returned to the Oilers for a third time, contributing 10 points in 28 games. Throughout his career, he has played for several teams, accumulating 529 points in over 1,000 regular season games.
Free agent forward Sam Gagner, who played for the Edmonton Oilers last season, recently turned 35 but remains confident about his future in the NHL. He is aiming for his 18th season and is actively seeking a new contract.
As reported by Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal, Gagner has been training at his annual Muskoka Hockey camp and hopes to continue playing in the 2024-25 season. There are also rumors about him potentially taking on a player development role with the Oilers, although this has not been confirmed.
During the last season, Gagner returned to the Oilers for a third time, playing under a two-way contract with a cap hit of $775,000. He recorded 10 points (five goals and five assists) in 28 games with Edmonton and added nine points (three goals and six assists) in 15 games with the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors. However, he did not participate in the Oilers’ playoff run to the Stanley Cup Final.
Throughout his career, Gagner has played for multiple teams, including the Oilers, Arizona Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Vancouver Canucks, Detroit Red Wings, and Winnipeg Jets. He has accumulated 529 points (197 goals and 332 assists) over 1,043 regular season games, along with four assists in 11 playoff games.
The Edmonton Oilers nearly appointed Dan Mackinnon, the assistant general manager of the New Jersey Devils, as their new GM before ultimately hiring Stan Bowman. NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed on his podcast that Mackinnon was a strong candidate who advanced further in the selection process than many realized.
Mackinnon has been an important part of the Devils’ front office since 2019, serving not only as assistant GM but also as senior vice president of hockey operations and general manager of the AHL’s Utica Comets. His growing reputation in the league has led to interest from other teams, including a previous interview with the Pittsburgh Penguins for their GM position.
While Mackinnon did not secure the job with the Oilers, his close call suggests he is on the verge of becoming a general manager in the NHL.
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