People blaming this on the Perry deal are wrong, the Perry deal, mistake or not, had nothing to do with this decision on either player. This was 2 young, mostly unproven RFAs that got offer sheets at a combined 6.9 million. It was their right o sign those deals, but signing those deals are why they are gone, simple as that. How they were treated and developed, play time with the NHL club, etc. definitely are reasons too. The Oilers, like most teams were using their RFA status, their lack of arbitration and bargaining power, to grind them down to 2-2.5 million combined. The Blues and their offer sheets, spoiled the Oilers plans.
Edmonton is in WIN NOW mode, this year, and even next year are their best chances to win, before before Drai(1year left), McDavid (2 years left), and Bouchard (is 1 year left), all go up in salary. The Oilers got out of cap hell, gave themselves flexibility to make moves (like an upgrade at 2nd paring RH D). IF they kept Broberg,and Holloway for that matter too (just to a lesser extent) they were basically done. Between the inability to trade either Broberg or Holloway for a full year, Kane's unknown health/LTIR status, being over the cap, and our lack of assets to move (picks and prospects), the Oilers would of been stuck with this team, for better or worse. Could Broberg and/or Holloway actually of worked out this year? yes, but, odds are, they wouldn't have lived up to their new deals this season, and maybe, if not probably the next season as well, because, they are young, and they are still developing. The Oilers needed them at 2.5 million-ish max, once they signed these offer sheets, that ended that possibility. Perry did get overpaid with that little bonus, but that doesn't kick in until next year, his base salary can be buried in the minors if they need to, it had nothing to do with this.
yes, this stinks, but the Oilers picked the lesser of 2 evils, the better gamble, simple as that.