bleedblue1223
Registered User
- Jan 21, 2011
- 52,940
- 16,394
Yep, it's ownership trying to put a spin on it, so the current group isn't blamed. Make Holland and the Blues the bad guys. If their scenario did happen, and Holland just didn't do anything, and the players were willing to sign at that time, why didn't anyone else in the org just get it done, it's not like if Holland refuses to do something, then that's final and no one else can negotiate with the agents or sign a contract. Or once Holland was gone, and if the report was true that Broberg wanted 1x1.8 and Holloway wanted 1x1.2, why didn't current management sign those deals? Were they really wanting to squeeze them even more to be as cheap as possible?Completely agree.
It could also be that the player's agents were actively seeking an offer sheet at the open of free agency and declined to sign a low ball Edmonton deal in case a GM came around to their sales pitches. Either way, I agree with you that the offer sheet plan very likely started to materialize early in the summer.
In fairness, they didn't renew his contract. It was described as a mutual parting of ways, but that could very well be spin. Or the 'mutual decision' could have been the following discussion:
Owners: Do this thing
Holland: No
Owners: I don't think we're going to bring you back if you don't do this thing
Holland: Cool, I don't want to be back if I don't have the autonomy to handle that thing the way I want
I tend to think this is all spin for the fanbase. Even if it isn't, Broberg wasn't signing an extension with them while he was riding the bus in the AHL earning a $70k salary. Any expectation that he could have been extended at that point is ludicrous. If that is in fact something that caused a rift with Holland then it is squarely on ownership not understanding the business of hockey. Actually now that I write it out I'm starting to believe it isn't just spin and this is yet another example of Edmonton ownership being terrible.
And on top of this, it's plausible that one of the main issues with Broberg was being forced to play on his off-side. We all know the difference it made with Faulk going from play on the left when he first came here to playing on his natural right side, and having a clearly defined role. Like you, I don't think we should bank on him following others and having a huge breakout, but a role that better suits him will help.No, but we are potentially adding a couple nice young players that have the upside to be genuine contributors on a long-term timeline.
I think Broberg is pretty damn unlikely to ever hit the top pair (maybe even fringe #1) upside that was projected in his draft year when he was drafted 8th overall and in the discussion for best D man in the draft class. But that doesn't mean that he can't still become a genuine contributor. Plenty of damn good NHL D men aren't ready to contribute in their early 20s, develop through their mid-20s and then genuinely contribute to a winner in their late 20s.
Montour was 22 for his debut and didn't stick full time until he was 23. He grew through his 20s and was a big piece of Florida's blue line for their win when he was in his age 29 season.
Shea Theodore bounced up and down from the AHL and NHL in his age 20 and 21 seasons before seizing on his opportunity in Vegas in his age 22 season. He had several more years of growth after that season and was the #2 D man on their Cup win in his age 27 season.
Devon Toews was 24 when he made his NHL debut. He was a nice D man for 2 years on the Island and then really broke out as a legit stud in his age 26 season after being traded to the Avs. He won a Cup as the #2 D man on the Avs in his age 27 season.
I'm not saying that he's going to hit those highs, but my point is that this is an addition based on what Broberg could be at 25+. It's not about opening the window right now in his age 23 season. It is about giving a 23 year old with tons of tools the opportunity to grow in the NHL to see if he can develop into a legit contributor for those age 25 through 30 seasons when we're looking to contend again.