The Loss of Broberg and Holloway Gripe Thread

[McJadeddog]

There is no chance in hell that Pod and Holloway finish the season with similar numbers as Holloway receives more opportunity in St. Louis.

Holloway should have been locked up but our management doubled down on the now by bringing in some old washed up wingers instead of ensuring that we continue to be a competitive team in the future.

Yeah agree on both counts. I like Podz, but he isn't nearly the offensive player Holloway is.

Holloway should have been extended rather than spending money on Skinner or Arvidsson. We could have signed just one of the above players and kept Holloway, and been a better team, with more youth, speed, and size. Terrible mistake by Jackson, but we can't do anything about it now.

 

[McDNicks17]

Right, but it didn't have to be that way had management not slept on it. We lost two valuable pieces for basically nothing as there isn't a chance in hell the draft picks they returned will turn into something as useful as them.

Agreed on Holloway. I was very anti-Skinner when the rumours started.

Not so much on Broberg. The horse has been beaten enough, but he was as good as gone. He wanted out and controlled his fate.

 

[Trafalgar Sadge Law]

Meh. Pod and Emberson show how easy it is to add a little youth every year when you don't have a hibernating GM.

I think most Oilers fans are pretty happy about adding Pod/Emberson though, and we picked up another highly touted prospect that we'll wait and see on the returns for in Savoie. Acquiring youth is not the issue. The issue is that we should've added Pod and Emberson ON TOP OF Holloway and Broberg. You can't tell me you wouldn't be intrigued about the idea of Podkolzin and Holloway both out there speeding into the tough areas, crashing and banging, digging up loose pucks etc. Instead we have over 10 million in slow and/or ineffective, declining forwards like Henrique/Arvidsson/Skinner.

Also since he's not much older than Holloway/Broberg, Adam Henrique is a downgrade from Ryan McLeod. Should've just never traded for Henrique and flipped that 1st for Matthew Savoie instead.

 

[McShogun99]

It would be nice to have Holloway instead of Skinner, but I'm still not too bothered.

Holloway would only be playing 5v5 here and he's tied with Janmark for 5v5 points. Not the greatest loss.

Skinner will come around. This is the first time in his NHL career that he's played on a good team and has to be defensively responsible with minimal PP time.

I think most Oilers fans are pretty happy about adding Pod/Emberson though, and we picked up another highly touted prospect that we'll wait and see on the returns for in Savoie. Acquiring youth is not the issue. The issue is that we should've added Pod and Emberson ON TOP OF Holloway and Broberg. You can't tell me you wouldn't be intrigued about the idea of Podkolzin and Holloway both out there speeding into the tough areas, crashing and banging, digging up loose pucks etc. Instead we have over 10 million in slow and/or ineffective, declining forwards like Henrique/Arvidsson/Skinner.

Also since he's not much older than Holloway/Broberg, Adam Henrique is a downgrade from Ryan McLeod. Should've just never traded for Henrique and flipped that 1st for Matthew Savoie instead.

Pod and Emberson have been growing on me over the season. We potentially got two good ones for practically nothing.

 

[McDNicks17]

I think most Oilers fans are pretty happy about adding Pod/Emberson though, and we picked up another highly touted prospect that we'll wait and see on the returns for in Savoie. Acquiring youth is not the issue. The issue is that we should've added Pod and Emberson ON TOP OF Holloway and Broberg. You can't tell me you wouldn't be intrigued about the idea of Podkolzin and Holloway both out there speeding into the tough areas, crashing and banging, digging up loose pucks etc. Instead we have over 10 million in slow and/or ineffective, declining forwards like Henrique/Arvidsson/Skinner.

Also since he's not much older than Holloway/Broberg, Adam Henrique is a downgrade from Ryan McLeod. Should've just never traded for Henrique and flipped that 1st for Matthew Savoie instead.

I don't know if those moves happen if they keep them.

To fit Broberg, Ceci and Kulak would have had to be traded. I'm not sure they would have targeted a RD like Emberson if that happens.

They'd also have to run a 20 man roster, so no spares and one less spot at LW means they probably don't trade for Pod.

 

[Trafalgar Sadge Law]

I don't know if those moves happen if they keep them.

To fit Broberg, Ceci and Kulak would have had to be traded. I'm not sure they would have targeted a RD like Emberson if that happens.

They'd also have to run a 20 man roster, so no spares and one less spot at LW means they probably don't trade for Pod.

I'm 100% sure we could've fit everyone by just not signing 2 of Arvidsson/Henrique/Skinner (especially not Skinner). Also, keeping Broberg would've made it more likely that we make that Ceci for Emberson trade anyway to retain a cheap righty. Sigh... too late now, the losses of Holloway/Broberg were more reflective of the team's tactical errors than anything else: prioritizing declining vets early in free agency over our own homegrown young talent. And it's not like Jeff Jackson didn't know the importance of these two either. In multiple offseason interviews, he talked about the importance of acquiring/re-signing and developing young players for long-term sustainability with those two as his primary examples. We just messed up in execution by signing the 10.5 million dollar trio of suck.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

I'm 100% sure we could've fit everyone by just not signing 2 of Arvidsson/Henrique/Skinner (especially not Skinner). Also, keeping Broberg would've made it more likely that we make that Ceci for Emberson trade anyway to retain a cheap righty. Sigh... too late now, the losses of Holloway/Broberg were more reflective of the team's tactical errors than anything else: prioritizing declining vets early in free agency over our own homegrown young talent. And it's not like Jeff Jackson didn't know the importance of these two either. In multiple offseason interviews, he talked about the importance of acquiring/re-signing and developing young players for long-term sustainability with those two as his primary examples. We just messed up in execution by signing the 10.5 million dollar trio of suck.

You might need to update your avatar. I'm sure there's a Jackson quote that's memeworthy after we lost two valuable young players for jack squat.

 

[Trafalgar Sadge Law]

You might need to update your avatar. I'm sure there's a Jackson quote that's memeworthy after we lost two valuable young players for jack squat.

I probably do hahahaha.

 

[McDNicks17]

I'm 100% sure we could've fit everyone by just not signing 2 of Arvidsson/Henrique/Skinner (especially not Skinner). Also, keeping Broberg would've made it more likely that we make that Ceci for Emberson trade anyway to retain a cheap righty. Sigh... too late now, the losses of Holloway/Broberg were more reflective of the team's tactical errors than anything else: prioritizing declining vets early in free agency over our own homegrown young talent. And it's not like Jeff Jackson didn't know the importance of these two either. In multiple offseason interviews, he talked about the importance of acquiring/re-signing and developing young players for long-term sustainability with those two as his primary examples. We just messed up in execution by signing the 10.5 million dollar trio of suck.

I don't think it's as simple as not signing those guys unless we're talking just not sign Skinner and keep Holloway which I think they should have done. They had to do something with the second line. With hindsight we could see Holloway or Pod filling in there, but both of them were far from top6 locks going into the season. For Henrique, you either have McLeod making basically the same money in his spot or you skip that and have Derek Ryan as your #3C.

And like I said before, Broberg was as good as gone. He demanded a trade. He had an offer sheet secured before even negotiating with the Oilers. He wasn't re-signing.

 

[Trafalgar Sadge Law]

I don't think it's as simple as not signing those guys unless we're talking just not sign Skinner and keep Holloway which I think they should have done. They had to do something with the second line. With hindsight we could see Holloway or Pod filling in there, but both of them were far from top6 locks going into the season. For Henrique, you either have McLeod making basically the same money in his spot or you skip that and have Derek Ryan as your #3C.

And like I said before, Broberg was as good as gone. He demanded a trade. He had an offer sheet secured before even negotiating with the Oilers. He wasn't re-signing.

Yeah I'm saying to not sign 2 of the 10.5 million trio and keeping the young players and seems you're in agreement about the Holloway part. As for McLeod, he's 1 million cheaper against the cap than Henrique, younger, and just a much better player. Much faster, vastly superior defensively and on the penalty kill, and what was supposed to be Henrique's advantage: offense, doesn't seem to be working out either. McLeod was always good in transition for puck possession/zone entries etc while driving play on the third line, and could fill in for spot duty as a complimentary top 6 winger when injuries arose. Henrique just does nothing (though the same can be said about most of our forwards this year).

Honestly, the mistake with Broberg likely already happened last season when we kept jerking him between the NHL bench and AHL even after he had solid 2022-23 campaign on the bottom pair. Hence the trade request rumours.

 

[VeteranPresence]

Ex-Oilers forward cites stars Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl's team roles as primary reason for exiting Edmonton

Didn't know where else to put this but since we're already talking about him here- Foegele told an LA reporter that the reason "he" left Edmonton this summer was because it's "hard to get on the ice" here. No mention of it not being his choice, nor of how big of an ego you must need to believe you should be a top-two forward on an NHL club with a career high of *checks notes* 13 goals before coming to the Oilers.

Foegele comes off as extremely ungrateful in this quote, especially given he set career highs in every category thanks to McDrai which likely fed into him even being offered his new contract. Good luck keeping LA's first round exit streak going, bud. We won't and don't miss you.

 

[McDNicks17]

Yeah I'm saying to not sign 2 of the 10.5 million trio and keeping the young players and seems you're in agreement about the Holloway part. As for McLeod, he's 1 million cheaper against the cap than Henrique, younger, and just a much better player. Much faster, vastly superior defensively and on the penalty kill, and what was supposed to be Henrique's advantage: offense, doesn't seem to be working out either. McLeod was always good in transition for puck possession/zone entries etc while driving play on the third line, and could fill in for spot duty as a complimentary top 6 winger when injuries arose. Henrique just does nothing (though the same can be said about most of our forwards this year).

Honestly, the mistake with Broberg likely already happened last season when we kept jerking him between the NHL bench and AHL even after he had solid 2022-23 campaign on the bottom pair. Hence the trade request rumours.

Henrique has been good lately and I'd easily take him over McLeod in the playoffs.

I don't think the cap works unless it's Arvidsson not being signed too. That's $3.9M in saving without Skinner and swapping McLeod in for Henrique compared to the $6.8M you would need for Broberg/Holloway.

 

[McDNicks17]

Ex-Oilers forward cites stars Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl's team roles as primary reason for exiting Edmonton

Didn't know where else to put this but since we're already talking about him here- Foegele told an LA reporter that the reason "he" left Edmonton this summer was because it's "hard to get on the ice" here. No mention of it not being his choice, nor of how big of an ego you must need to believe you should be a top-two forward on an NHL club with a career high of *checks notes* 13 goals before coming to the Oilers.

Foegele comes off as extremely ungrateful in this quote, especially given he set career highs in every category thanks to McDrai which likely fed into even getting his new contract. Good luck keeping LA's first round exit streak going, bud. We won't and don't miss you.

That's pretty funny. Foegele probably would have been bought out if it wasn't for Drai juicing his numbers for 10-15 games every season.

 

[Mcnotloilersfan]

Ex-Oilers forward cites stars Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl's team roles as primary reason for exiting Edmonton

Didn't know where else to put this but since we're already talking about him here- Foegele told an LA reporter that the reason "he" left Edmonton this summer was because it's "hard to get on the ice" here. No mention of it not being his choice, nor of how big of an ego you must need to believe you should be a top-two forward on an NHL club with a career high of *checks notes* 13 goals before coming to the Oilers.

Foegele comes off as extremely ungrateful in this quote, especially given he set career highs in every category thanks to McDrai which likely fed into even getting his new contract. Good luck keeping LA's first round exit streak going, bud. We won't and don't miss you.

What an idiotic take on his part. He isn't a center... They didn't take an ounce of ice time away from him.

 

[Trafalgar Sadge Law]

Ex-Oilers forward cites stars Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl's team roles as primary reason for exiting Edmonton

Didn't know where else to put this but since we're already talking about him here- Foegele told an LA reporter that the reason "he" left Edmonton this summer was because it's "hard to get on the ice" here. No mention of it not being his choice, nor of how big of an ego you must need to believe you should be a top-two forward on an NHL club with a career high of *checks notes* 13 goals before coming to the Oilers.

Foegele comes off as extremely ungrateful in this quote, especially given he set career highs in every category thanks to McDrai which likely fed into even getting his new contract. Good luck keeping LA's first round exit streak going, bud. We won't and don't miss you.

Bro was often struggling to outplay the likes of Kailer Yamamoto and thinks McDrai are the reason for his low ice time haha.

 

[Stoneman89]

There is no chance in hell that Pod and Holloway finish the season with similar numbers as Holloway receives more opportunity in St. Louis.

Holloway should have been locked up but our management doubled down on the now by bringing in some old washed up wingers instead of ensuring that we continue to be a competitive team in the future.

How do you figure that? Pod is playing with the 2 of the best forwards in the league.

 

[Stoneman89]

Ex-Oilers forward cites stars Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl's team roles as primary reason for exiting Edmonton

Didn't know where else to put this but since we're already talking about him here- Foegele told an LA reporter that the reason "he" left Edmonton this summer was because it's "hard to get on the ice" here. No mention of it not being his choice, nor of how big of an ego you must need to believe you should be a top-two forward on an NHL club with a career high of *checks notes* 13 goals before coming to the Oilers.

Foegele comes off as extremely ungrateful in this quote, especially given he set career highs in every category thanks to McDrai which likely fed into him even being offered his new contract. Good luck keeping LA's first round exit streak going, bud. We won't and don't miss you.

Bad take by Foegele. He had his ice time cut because he was way too inconsistent. He played really well in a game and then disappeared for half a dozen others, only to resurface again when he made a bonehead glaring mistake. Also was a healthy scratch in the playoffs as well as McLeod due to spotty play.

 

[guymez]

How do you figure that? Pod is playing with the 2 of the best forwards in the league.

Pod doesnt get any PP time...Holloway does and over a third of his goals have come on the PP.
Pod also didnt start playing top 6 minutes until the last 5 games or so.
Holloway has played top 6 minutes for virtually the whole season.

 

[Duke74]

There is no chance in hell that Pod and Holloway finish the season with similar numbers as Holloway receives more opportunity in St. Louis.

Holloway should have been locked up but our management doubled down on the now by bringing in some old washed up wingers instead of ensuring that we continue to be a competitive team in the future.

Pods has been glued to Draisaitl for most of the year. I doubt Holloway has a better bump than that unless he gets PP time.

Truthfully, Draisaitl would probably have another 5 assists if Holloway was still here and stapled to him like Pods.

 

[Soundwave]

Drai can be a bit tough to play with, you have to read off him well and that takes some time to get used to. Podkolzin will take some time and nurturing when you're taking in a young player who's confidence is shot it takes time.

When the Avs brought in Nichushkin it took him 21 games to score his first goal.

Two years later he's a bargain budget piece and a 25 goal scorer on a Cup winning team.

 

[Duke74]

Ex-Oilers forward cites stars Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl's team roles as primary reason for exiting Edmonton

Didn't know where else to put this but since we're already talking about him here- Foegele told an LA reporter that the reason "he" left Edmonton this summer was because it's "hard to get on the ice" here. No mention of it not being his choice, nor of how big of an ego you must need to believe you should be a top-two forward on an NHL club with a career high of *checks notes* 13 goals before coming to the Oilers.

Foegele comes off as extremely ungrateful in this quote, especially given he set career highs in every category thanks to McDrai which likely fed into him even being offered his new contract. Good luck keeping LA's first round exit streak going, bud. We won't and don't miss you.

I was surprised by this too. Wasn't Foegele glued to Draisaitl for most of the year last year? What better opportunity was he looking for? I doubt he plays on Kopitar's wing in LA.

 

[popo]

I was surprised by this too. Wasn't Foegele glued to Draisaitl for most of the year last year? What better opportunity was he looking for? I doubt he plays on Kopitar's wing in LA.

I think he has been playing on a line with Kempe-Kopitar. So a good landing spot for him. He seems to be doing fine there.

Foeggle was engematic last year. At times with Draisaitl. At other times the fourth line, or even press box.

 

[Tobias Kahun]

Youth or GOOD youth? Both Podz and Emberson have been fine but so far this year Holloway and Broberg have been better.

Imagine that, the players getting paid almost 7m combined are better than the ones getting paid 1.8m.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

You might need to update your avatar. I'm sure there's a Jackson quote that's memeworthy after we lost two valuable young players for jack squat.

Yup. Terrible asset management. Got caught napping instead of being pro-active with their homegrown talent and paid the hard development miles for another organization. Build your day 1 free agency work to include a flotilla of journeymen d, Josh Brown, Stetcher, Carrick, Hoefenmayer while ignoring the guy who stepped into final four Cup competition. Watching Broberg comfortably play top 4 minutes AND top the Blues list of top under 23 talent list is a bitter pill. Missed all the signals to give away an emergent top four NHL D for a lottery ticket with 34% chance of manifesting an NHL player.

Double the fun missing the signs of your homegrown middle roster winger for a similar low probability return on development investment.

Sleep on a growth cap market and get bitten on the ass when the market values and prioritizes these pedigree talents differently.

 

[TheNumber4]

Ex-Oilers forward cites stars Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl's team roles as primary reason for exiting Edmonton

Didn't know where else to put this but since we're already talking about him here- Foegele told an LA reporter that the reason "he" left Edmonton this summer was because it's "hard to get on the ice" here. No mention of it not being his choice, nor of how big of an ego you must need to believe you should be a top-two forward on an NHL club with a career high of *checks notes* 13 goals before coming to the Oilers.

Foegele comes off as extremely ungrateful in this quote, especially given he set career highs in every category thanks to McDrai which likely fed into him even being offered his new contract. Good luck keeping LA's first round exit streak going, bud. We won't and don't miss you.

There’s a lot of editorializing going on in that article so I’ll just post the direct quote:

“But I also wanted a little bit more opportunity too." Foegele said on Friday, via NHL.com, "Obviously having (Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl), the two best players in the world, it's hard to get ice, right? So for me, I was like, I think I'm at that stage in my career where I can take on more and I wanted a bigger role."


Foegele had the exact same attitude coming out of Carolina. His chip on his shoulder playing against the Canes also came from a perceived lack of “opportunity” (Top 6 Minutes).

But there was reasons for that lack of trust. His hands would always fail him right at the end of a great play. It was like he had the yips and couldn’t finish. He got better in Edmonton as time went on. No doubt time training with McDavid every offseason helped with that.

And he was given opportunity plenty of times in Edmonton. He got time with McD and Drai. Not anyone’s fault he didn’t take it and run with it. Hyman took it and ran with it.

I’ll also say, the reason he “moved on” is also cause the Kings paid him what we were unwilling to pay him after 2 completely shit post seasons. One where he was completely invisible and the second where he was worse than invisible and actively hurt us with bad turnovers. So he leaves out an important reason why he left: “money”.

Side note, on Oilers Plus they had a segment on the girlfriends trip. And I swear it was Foegeles girlfriend when asked about living in Edmonton, scoffed and laughed at the idea. The only girlfriend to show a lack of class when answering that question.