I think you can match Holloway pretty easily. An extra 900k or so isn't going to break the bank either way.
I'm fairly certain as far as the Blues are concerned here the real prize is Broberg. I think they tendered the two offer sheets knowing that Edmonton would match Holloway but by tendering two it increases the level of scramble necessary to open up cap space.
I keep hearing this but it doesn't make sense. Broberg is the player the Oilers would give hesitation not matching. Even so, if the report of the ask and offer is accurate, on a one year deal, the Oil weren't that eager in having him play in the top 4. Neither was I, and a lot of that was the franchise's fault with the development path they took with the player. I like Broberg but question if he's the player to take a prominent role this early in his career on a team considered a favorite. If he had 200 games played we'd have a better representation of what the player will be.
It's a fan thing. When posters and semi-media personalities were signaling Holloway might have a spot in the top six my initial thought is why the hell would you do that. With Holloway it was either going to be 3rd line winger or 4th line center. If he struggled scoring he could be demoted to 4th line winger.
I wouldn't be shocked if management had early warning on the offer sheets and they gave their blessing. The return isn't phenomenal but certain as assets in the form of picks. Also cap space is made available, which also includes the implications of future projections of cap space. Qualifying offers on the next contracts once these soon to be present contracts are up and possible arbitration hearings become relevant. These always have to come into consideration. Under Holland this aspect of looking to the future in regards to contracts wasn't given close enough attention.
Both players will be missed if the offer sheets aren't matched but the cap issues are real. The Oilers are still paying for the mistakes of the past two regimes. Time will tell if the offer sheet signings were a good move for the Blues or if they embarked on their own salary cap obstacles.
I agree with this, but we haven't lost these guys yet.
But yes, our team is old and slow. I can't believe how many people think we should give up on these dynamic young players.
Just match the offer sheet. Are we so focused on the present that we can just destroy our future this badly?
I'd even argue our team needs the youth and speed to win now.
Let's be honest. Holloway's top projection became questionable as a center, more probability as an energy winger for the bottom six because of his limited scoring ability. Broberg had far more upside but it's questionable that he'd ever reach it.
Both players have injury issues early on in their careers. Not just injury... injuries. The playoffs are the only meaningful healthy string of games for Holloway since he turned pro.
On the other side my personal opinion is both graduated to sure fire NHLers. But whomever the Oilers replace them with, if the offer sheets aren't matched, will also be NHLers.
I'm close to certain that both will be missed but as role players with Broberg having the possibility of being more.
Ok you're smarter than this, I don't know why you're getting caught up the apology tour, but you just have to think about for like 1/2 a second.
The Blues offered that amount because it puts pressure on the Oilers. Does Broberg take $2.5M, $3M if offered? Probably, but that's easier to match, it's REALLY simple.
The player's asks, if that tweet is to be believed, are right in line with what you would expect from an RFA.
If Broberg asks for that much and doesn't become the 3rd best defenseman on the team in the WC & SCFs, are you ok with it then? $1.8M for 1 yr?
It's REALLY simple when you think about it, the Oilers didn't treat these important young players seriously and Stan hasn't been doing anything at all.
You're on the bitter locomotive for the long haul. A good look if you find the appropriate hat. I may not agree with his opinion but that's a fancy lid he's sporting today.
Whose opinions I'd like to hear on Broberg are that from Coffey and Ekholm.
Hell the Blues were hinting at offersheets a some weeks ago in one of their GM pressors. Like, it was in the wind a bit. The issue for the Oilers is both players were on Full Display playing quality hockey in the SCFs, you don't need as much video to make that call.
Interesting. Above I question if the Oilers knew about the offer sheets and gave their blessing, knowing what they stand to lose and the path they would take going forward.
