Should the Oilers Match the Offer Sheets for Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway?

The Edmonton Oilers find themselves in a precarious situation during the 2024 offseason, with both Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway receiving offer sheets from other NHL teams. These decisions are critical for the Oilers, who are not only managing a tight salary cap but also striving to maintain a competitive roster as they chase a Stanley Cup.

Philip Broberg: A Potential That Hasn't Fully Realized

Philip Broberg, the 8th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, has been an intriguing prospect for the Oilers. His skating ability and potential as a top-four defenseman have been well-documented. However, his development has been inconsistent, particularly in the 2024 playoffs where he posted a Corsi of just 43.4%, indicating that the Oilers were outshot when he was on the ice​ (The Hockey Writers).

The St. Louis Blues have tendered Broberg a two-year contract worth $4.58 million annually. If the Oilers do not match this offer, they would receive a 2025 second-round pick as compensation. Given the Oilers' current salary cap crunch and the fact that Broberg is not yet a proven top-four defenseman, matching this offer could be risky. The compensation, a second-round pick, might prove to be more valuable, especially considering the pick could be used in future trades or to draft a promising prospect. Additionally, the Oilers have depth on defense with players like Evan Bouchard and Darnell Nurse, which might make losing Broberg more palatable.

Verdict: Don't match. The Oilers should let Broberg walk and take the compensation. The cap space saved can be better utilized in other areas where the team has more pressing needs.

Dylan Holloway: A Young Forward with Upside

Dylan Holloway, another first-round pick (14th overall in 2020), has shown flashes of his potential as a dynamic, versatile forward. Known for his speed, physicality, and two-way game, Holloway represents a key piece of the Oilers’ future forward core. The offer sheet for Holloway, believed to be around $3.5 million annually, is more manageable within the Oilers' cap structure, but still poses a challenge.

Holloway’s performance has been more promising than Broberg’s, and the Oilers' need for depth in their forward group is more pressing. Losing Holloway would create a gap in their bottom-six forwards, a group that is already in need of bolstering. Furthermore, his potential to grow into a more prominent role in the coming years could outweigh the cap hit the Oilers would have to absorb.

Verdict: Match. Holloway’s upside and the Oilers' need for depth at forward make this a contract worth matching. The team can look to make cap space elsewhere if necessary, but retaining Holloway should be a priority.

Conclusion

Balancing the salary cap while maintaining a competitive roster is never easy, and the Oilers are at a crossroads with Broberg and Holloway. The smart move would be to match Holloway’s offer sheet, given his potential and the team's need for forwards, while letting Broberg go and taking the compensation. This approach allows the Oilers to remain competitive now while keeping an eye on future flexibility.

The Oilers' management will need to carefully weigh these options, but the path forward seems clear: invest in the players who are more likely to help the team succeed in both the short and long term.