Rishaug: Tough to lose Broberg and Holloway but matching would've put Oilers in cap hell

Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway are now members of the Blues after the Oilers elected not to match the offer sheets St. Louis sent their way last week. TSN Oilers reporter Ryan Rishaug has more on how Edmonton came to the tough decision to take the compensation and allow Broberg and Holloway to become Blues.

[@JesMcdld-nb6pg]

Signing Perry at end of season still seems like a dumb move when you had these guys even just Hollaway before Perry

[@Junketsuadidas]

The Darnell Nurse contract effect

[@DB-gr7ch]

The NHL is a business. These guys work for a living, and their performance just maximized their salaries for 2 years, in a very risky, uncertain, short career. Good for them. Good luck to the Oilers rebuilding their roster. Next.

[@jordon3558]

Exactly. Years in the NHL aren't promised. There is a lot of life to live after retiring from hockey and they need to plan for the future versions of themselves.

[@Cambo-k8g]

Haha mad??

[@DB-gr7ch]

@@Cambo-k8g Okey dokey, pokey.

[@user-yg1dg6xm2g]

It’s fantastic for them! In 20 years, when they’re long retired without Stanley Cup rings, they’ll be able to tell everyone it was worth it to sign those offer sheets.

[@user-yg1dg6xm2g]

​@@jordon3558 Exactly! Opportunities to win the Stanley Cup aren't promised, but at least they’ll have the satisfaction of knowing they prioritized short-term gains over long-term success.

[@nav7881]

The nurse deal such a waste of money for a 3 million doller player

[@JonahCarter-yf7bo]

He was part of the team that went to the Stanely Cup finals so he can't be that much of a "waste" of money.

[@hanslilja3873]

​@@JonahCarter-yf7bofor god sake nurse is maximum worth 4-5 million dollar maximum defintly not 9.5 that is a seth Jones class price or adam fox price for god sake there is a big big differens between nurse and this 2 i have been writing llloolll or take hedman he have only 8 million dollar in tampa bay ligthning PHU hedman is 100 Times better than nurse so nurse contract is a huge KATASTROF nothing else

[@nav7881]

@@JonahCarter-yf7bo he's making just over 9 million dollars a year which he ain't worth we could have used that money elsewhere

[@JonahCarter-yf7bo]

@@hanslilja3873 Get over it! Hindsight is 20/20, and you guys whining years after this old agreement got signed isn't going to change the pass or the present. And I don't care what you think he's worth. The whole point of watching the NHL is to see your team hoist the Stanely Cup not keep the players with the contracts that you like. Nobody forced Holloway and Broberg to sign the offer sheets. So yes they deserve the blame as much as the management for you guys losing your shit.

[@JonahCarter-yf7bo]

@@nav7881 Stan had a pathway to match both offer sheets, and he still didn't do it. Clearly even he didn't think they were worth the contracts that they signed with St. Louis. But let's still blame the contract that was signed by a different GM when many experts thought Nurse was going to be a better player than what he turned out to be.

[@Julio-v1c]

Rishaug - why do you think Broberg would start the season third pairing when he had taken a 2nd pairing spot during playoffs?Who was was pushing him back to third pairing?

[@tonykung8756]

Oilers went shopping in FA and spent all their cap money, then expected the Broberg and Holloway to sign these garbage lowball contracts, then hoped no one would offer sheet and poach their players…

[@Pollywar]

You have a TSN headline of “massive blow to Oilers organization” and a Sportsnet headline of “ Why declining to match offer sheets was the right decision”. Once again the eastern media is out to lunch. Like hell the Oilers brass are letting 2 largely unproven players to handcuff them while the leaders take less to win. Go ahead. Chase the bag in St. Louis. Both players will regret this and probably all ready do. I guarantee they thought they would be matched. To set a precedent and come out of it arguably in a better spot. Props to management. Shauger, lay off the summer sauce pal. The Oils blue line lost a guy that played as a 7th dman. 4.85 sheets per is larceny.

[@Tprovinzino]

I think it’s great they got bigger contracts good for them! if another team is willing to pay them that is what the free market is all about. Good luck in St. Louis.

[@howinyee5962]

This is a win win for both teams. For the Oilers, they get cap flexibility for this year and more importantly cap space to extend Drai and Bouchard next year. Broberg and Holloway are excellent fit for the core group with the blues alongside Thomas, Buchnevich, Perunovich, Hofer, Neighbours and Kyrou

[@liveclassictunes]

It's not a win win for both teams. Oilers lost a couple of good players that helped in the playoffs and onto the finals. They were cash strapped because of dumb managerial moves they are now defensively weak because of it. It's a partial win for the Blues... if they perform then it's a win for them but if they don't everyone loses.

[@howinyee5962]

@@liveclassictunes I dont entirely disagree but Oilers got Skinner, Arvidsson and Savioe this offseason so Holloway wasnt needed as he would of played bottom 6 this season anyways. Broberg was a tougher pill to swallow but he has never played an 82 game season and people are analyzing how he did in the 12 playoff games playing sheltered minutes and at 4.6 its too high for this player. I do see him being a star for the Blues but i dont see that for him here as Bouchard is the clear number 1

[@jasonb9152]

Disaster for Edmonton… already an old team, complete disaster. Groomed these two players, they are very good, and we get nothing for them. Definitely one of the worst things to happen to the Oilers in many many years.

[@shaunjensen571]

Broberg impressed in the cup final but aside from that his play wasn't consistent enough to keep him in the line up. He would have received a top 6 position if he played better, also competing against internal NHL proven defense on 1 way contracts would make it hard to. Let's see what St Louis does with him, personally I don't feel he's worth the contract he received so he better take the money while he can because if he is weak in St Louis, his next stop is either Europe or the KHL.

[@handykiddhe4778]

I agree. 4.5 mil should be a proven vet. Not a guy with less than 81 games, -5 overall, 13 min average. Hasn’t proved he can hang a whole season yet, which is a fault of oilers. High risk contract they can’t afford right now, as much as I like his progress

[@cackoocacho1629]

"Broberg impressed in the cup final ...." He did? He cost them a goal in G7, that arguably changed the entire trajectory of the game. Along with various other blunders. This clown is gonna make $4.6M for the next two seasons?

[@carparthero]

@@cackoocacho1629 any team that can only score 1 goal in a SCF deserves to lose lol. skinner let in 2 goals, so he is def not to blame either.

[@user-yg1dg6xm2g]

Playoff performers are always in demand come playoff time.

[@robertlee4596]

If Oilers played Broberg 1 less game and Holloway 9 less games, they would not have been eligible to receive an offer sheet from another team. A very subtle mistake, but a big mistake.

[@mondoseguendo6113]

A classic case of whoops

[@parkersmith-gp9xb]

Yea hey , Interesting I thought that pulling Desernais from the lineup in favour of Broberg was the wrong move. Tampering with a winning line up. Defense wins playoff games, not an offensive defensive player. Van thought that V. Dehernais played such a great series against them, they signed him. First chance they got

[@user-bq4tc6zc3f]

U can blame holland, jackson, and bowman but when you have 3 or 4 highend players money is limited

[@Jenna-Tailya]

Oilers biggest need is a hands on video coach

[@Misguided-w8h]

Definitely the right call..those contracts would have further confused the wage vs value situation that plagues the Oilers. These players were, for the most part, untested and unseasoned so that level of sudden increase would appear unwarranted and could have created some tension in the dressing room. The present economic situation with the Oilers just got more relaxed with this decision and keeps the door open for a depth move later in season to tweak strength for Cup run. Injuries might also creep in. Overall, we have good rookie depth in Bakersfield and extra draft picks will help even more. Good luck Philip and Dylan…thanks for being an Oiler!

[@user-vm2jx9qf5u]

I remember when Paul Coffee walked off the team. Was a tough blow but they still won a cup without him. The Oilers should have done the same with Nurse. Knowing this, I am just happy to see Oiler management practicing fiscal responsibility.

[@liveclassictunes]

bahahahahahahahahahhaa!!!!! yeah ok. It's Oiler's management that cost them these players. Dumb... super dumb.

[@DanielBelzil]

Hopefully Bowman takes a look at Darnell Nurse's contract at some point soon and also says, "hey it is just business" and gets rid of it.

[@rozzie101]

Excellent

[@dosm4805]

Yup, right move

[@scottmcfarlane7524]

then why trade Ceci

[@CrowCityCards]

@@scottmcfarlane7524They were already headed to cap hell even before the offer sheets. Kane will be back before the playoffs, I don’t think they would’ve been able to pull a “Mark Stone” with him. Plus, they have the Draisaitl and the Bouchard extensions coming up and they need every dollar available. They’ll now use the 2nd and 3rd picks they got to make more moves.

[@propositionjoe499]

Right move was getting Holloway done before they filled out their roster (and salary cap) on July 1.

[@marknelson4390]

Any word or rumors on who the other teams were that were going to offer sheet Broberg/Holloway if St. Louis hadn't?

[@parkersmith-gp9xb]

Teams don’t use this type of thing very often . It’s a bit of a low-blow to a group of GM’s that are all a tight group

[@josephj-dw6sn]

Good call, said it from day one of the offer-sheets. They need a deterrence for others who risk their career success and choose to play for no-good teams

[@scottmcfarlane7524]

Bowman is a Trash GM ...

[@liveclassictunes]

bahahahhahahhahahahhahaaa!!! enjoy him in Edmonton... he ain't going anywhere for a while.

[@hughjass1044]

Mismanaging prospects is a thing at which the Oilers are the recognized authority. Having said that, I think it was the smart play to decline to match given the situation in which they found themselves. Mind you, there are a hundred things they could have and should have done differently so as to not wind up in that situation to begin with but it's kinda pointless talking about that now. They didn't and this is where they find themselves so this was in my opinion, the only smart decision they could have made under the circumstances.

[@charlesking617]

Also, as an experienced Human Resources professional who convinced “departing” employees to stay it never lasted. Within a year, the disgruntled employee usually remains as such and finally leaves to chase after money or advancement rather then remain for loyalty and team type goals. Add agents and a CBA and a very competitive league system it is best to let the unhappy go elsewhere.

[@Zentrix-24]

Oiler fan here....I'm ok with oiler not matching. To me it was money over team so good luck to them. Now with Cici gone and Kane either go LTIR or not, Oilers are cap compliant. Much need cap space needed and with the new guys coming in, oilers will have options. Also with contracts like Drai and Bouch after this season...the cap increase + oiler players seem to be more cup hungry than salary hungry this season...Something Holloway and Broberg were not it seems, so I'm good going into this season. And you never know what can happen during a season.....

[@HootieTang]

I have no idea what what Bowman is doing.

[@jonw7166]

He doesnt either. He's never been a smart gm. Its not like he built that Chicago team in any way shape or form

[@dianedyck3474]

@@jonw7166no but he won three cups and kept them relevant for 10 years so there is that!

[@rebeltvr6046]

@@dianedyck3474 His Dad the legendary Scotty Bowman was in his ears in Chicago. That's why he had success. He's going to be ass in Edm.

[@dameionhall6475]

You guys are all bias, kmt these players took the money and let them go it is fine.

[@dougroby7684]

If you ever figure it out, please tell me. I'm too scared to find out from any chicago fans.

[@ruffFlip]

Plus media like you

[@yourhouseprice]

Why is Perry on the team!

[@cackoocacho1629]

I realize that Oilers fans aren't used to seeing what responsible management looks like, given their 20 years in the gutter, before emerging from the McDavid sweepstakes victorious. Even then, they went and blundered the Nurse contract, in hysterical fashion. However, this is what responsible management looks like. You do not let other teams dictate your contracts. If the Oilers felt these two players were worth that money, they would have acted accordingly. Neither of those players are worth that money, least of all, friggen Broberg. $4.6M for an AHL defenseman. What in the actual F? If I were a STL fan, I would be pissed.

[@MarciaRobinsonz]

Oilers have now opened up potentially $4m in cap space + draft picks for the trade deadline. Broberg and Holloway have great future potential for the team, but in terms of win now mode... $7.2m AAV for them is better spent elsewhere. Especially for where they would have slotted as depth players.

[@shakrmakr]

They didn’t open up any cap room. They are already over the cap lol

[@scottmcfarlane7524]

They have less then a Mil what are u talking about???? even if Kane is on LTR ...PLEASE look up number before posting BS

[@brianlb78]

They have just under a mil in cap space. Kane wont be gone long enough for LTIR unless they have him come back mid season for a little bit and then the "injury is nagging" and they put him on ltir just before the trade deadline. Which I could see happening. Blues on the other hand even after all t his have over 2 mil in cap space and an good young team.

[@MarciaRobinsonz]

@@brianlb78 you understand how that cap space accrues and grows in value exponentially... right?

[@LeonExile05]

Broberg at this point isn’t even half of what Bouchard is- yet he’s now making more than him this season. The Oilers made the right decision to let them walk, both Broberg and Holloway made their choice and they wanted out. Good riddance. Edit: Now they just need to get another RD. They could probably get Barrie for cheap on a PTO. There’s also Schultz and Klingberg.

[@bonedaddy95]

Broberg wanted to be be traded out of Edmonton not that long ago. He still hasn't played a full season in the NHL and despite his good play in the playoffs, he is not worth $4.7mil a year yet, maybe in the future after putting actual NHL playing time in. $4.7 is for a guy who has actually played a few full season and is a decent player

[@jimclarence5441]

Sure the Oilers might miss those two players. But 7m for two of them isn't great value for Blues and it cost them two picks. Maybe they could have done just as well in UFA signings. Can't blame the players or the Oilers for not matching. Oilers kinda did themselves with some bad cap management..

[@BigJim5754]

Offer sheet karma lol. Oilers waaaaaaaay overpaid for Dustin Penner w an offer sheet and the Ducks said haha F you take him at that #, we'll take the 1st/2nd/3rd/ rd picks now please. Didn't work out and karma kicked em back in the teeth again ;)

[@parkersmith-gp9xb]

So long ago. These are completely different teams / organizations now

[@BigJim5754]

@@parkersmith-gp9xb if you believe in suspicions like karma, time ain't nothin but a number 😜

[@LZed-g4k]

Oilers!! 👏💪👏

[@rayk6449]

I don’t like it, but it might be a good move. Time will tell.

[@robgranberg7854]

I dont know why people keep whining about the nurse contract. Its been said to death. Its a bad deal with long term implications. Everyone knows that. Get over it

[@brianw3749]

People whine about it for the exact reasons you stated.

[@onkyolive8399]

Plus it’s not he that asked for those contracts. Holland made a massive mistake and a massive mistake dollar for dollar. Not Nurse’s fault.. u gave him that contract.

[@terencebradley7166]

Your question answers itself. I hope you are not a lawyer as your ability to argue is at kindergarten level.

[@robgranberg7854]

@@terencebradley7166 well my Jesus. double first name is perhaps, a borderline genius. He must be a gen z-er, or a lib. Or even worse, a Habs fan.

[@240Turbo48]

Not a fan of Bowman but nevertheless, absolutely the right decision! Going to be interesting to watch how Broberg handles the pressure of such a high dollar contract. Holloway will have significant pressure to perform also but not to the degree of Broberg. I’d bet many will be watching close to see how these boys do over the next two seasons. 🏒

[@JonahCarter-yf7bo]

Any person still blaming Nurse's contract for everything that goes wrong with the Oilers need to remember that both Broberg and Holloway accepted the offer sheet. This deal doesn't happen without their consent. If the Oilers want to win a cup everyone has to take less to keep the team together and if Drai cashes in, that will also put the team in a hole to win a cup. Either you chase the money or you chase the legacy, under the cap era you can't have it both ways. Brobs and Holls wanted the coin. All the power to them. Oilers still have a wicked good team, and they have gained more fire power up front that might offset the combined loss of two prospects. The fact is we want to win the cup sooner rather than later and everyone else in the league knows it and is trying to stop it.

[@80teg]

@KiraKovalyova Who fled? 2 young depth players who got overpaid? OK

[@JonahCarter-yf7bo]

​@KiraKovalyova Oh really, ok will guess what, no super star player in the NHL is getting paid what they're actually worth. McDavid is worth more than 20 million dollars a year. He's actually worth 40 million a year in the open market. How many teams in the NHL are signing two of the best players in the world? Get a clue it's just one. Not to mention the Oilers where already 800k over the cap before the offer sheets were sent. You tell me Kira, how the Oilers were suppose to keep these players paying them what they wanted? It's not that the management didn't know what they were worth. It's because they didn't have the cap space to pay them what they wanted.

[@JonahCarter-yf7bo]

@KiraKovalyova Oh really, ok will guess what, no super star player in the NHL is getting paid what they're actually worth. McDavid is worth more than 20 million dollars a year. He's actually worth 40 million a year in the open market. How many teams in the NHL are signing two of the best players in the world? Get a clue it's just one. Not to mention the Oilers where already 800k over the cap before the offer sheets were sent. You tell me, how the Oilers were suppose to keep these players paying them what they wanted? It's not that the management didn't know what they were worth. It's because they didn't have the cap space to pay them what they wanted.

[@JonahCarter-yf7bo]

​@KiraKovalyova Oh really, ok will guess what, no super star player in the NHL is getting paid what they're actually worth. McDavid is worth more than 20 million dollars a year. He's actually worth 40 million a year in the open market. How many teams in the NHL are signing two of the best players in the world? It's just one. Not to mention the Oilers where already 800k over the cap before the offer sheets were sent. You tell me, how the Oilers were suppose to keep these players paying them what they wanted? It's not that the management didn't know what they were worth. It's because they didn't have the cap space to pay them what they wanted.

[@JonahCarter-yf7bo]

@KiraKovalyova No super star player in the NHL is getting paid what they're actually worth. McDavid is worth more than 20 million dollars a year. He's actually worth 40 million a year in the open market. How many teams in the NHL are signing two of the best players in the world? It's just one. Not to mention the Oilers where already 800k over the cap before the offer sheets were sent. You tell me, how the Oilers were suppose to keep these players paying them what they wanted?

[@nabeeljaffer6667]

The organization has always made mistakes... lets hope we can win a cup soon. Pretyy sure the big boys will leave eventually.

[@primekiller5729]

Canucks were lucky that they locked up Silovs when they did!

[@Khalistan159]

100% right move... Gotta sign drai bouch and McDavid....

[@mattpeters6120]

This is the wrong decision. Should have kept broberg

[@bowriver1]

What's that tittering noise? Oh lol It's Canucks and Flames fans.

[@schwamieboy1]

Oilers head office just screwed their team out of a cup, congrats guys!

[@rossmartens]

Broberg sucks to loose Holloway I dunno doesn't really hurt my feelings

[@myfriendjoe]

those are offers that only pistol Pete would make. similar to the Mikko kostinen debacle that got Pete fired from edmonton the following day. if Pete makes an offer then we all know its a bad move.

[@rv2167]

the Drai contract he made was the best one in oilers history

[@myfriendjoe]

@@rv2167 one of the best for sure, along with Hyman , but he made around 10 awful awful deals and signings. the proof is in the pudding, he was fired between periods the day after an awful contract. Pete is a dumpster fire, that offer sheet was awful and he will pay for it

[@brianmouland209]

Didn’t need them anyway

[@scottmcfarlane7524]

Ohh yea they did nothing in the playoffs and kane is hurt...why do we need good players.....Such a loser statement(we lost were still good were still good LOL)

[@dougbell9543]

Like the Leafs, the Oilers payroll is reserved for a few core players. ✔️

[@shakrmakr]

But the Leafs will have tons of cap space during their stars prime once Tavares is off of the books while the Oilers won’t be.

[@rebeltvr6046]

@@shakrmakr By the time Tavares is off the books, Leafs window will start closing. A bunch of soft ass regular season players who can't win in the playoffs...

[@jimclarence5441]

@@shakrmakr It won't be ton of space as Knies, Holmberg, Woll, maybe McCabe, and Marner will get new contract, and then Tavares has to be replaced. Oilers will get cap space as I can't see Draisaitl resigning with Oilers, and maybe not McDavid

[@jimclarence5441]

Kinda. Oiler have too great bargains in McDavid and Draisaitl at a total of 21m. It's that terribly bloated 9.25m contract for Nurse for six years that really hurts. Also the 3.1m. in dead money with Neal and Campbell hurts also.

[@jimclarence5441]

@@rebeltvr6046 Why would the Leafs window be closing? Even if Tavares and Marner leave via UFA it just opens cap for other players. Same with Oilers if Draisaitl and McDavid leave, that's just cap to sign other players.

[@JHsillypantsMcGee]

Its bad for the Oilers and not great for the Blues to overpay for these players. The only thing its good for is Broberg and Holloway. Who doesn't want millions of dollars?

[@Junketsuadidas]

Blues have the space and the contracts aren’t long. Low risk

[@brianlb78]

Blues are only playing them for 2 years and they still have over 2 mil in cap space. If these guys don't pan out they didn't lose much if they do then they have to give them a raise. Simple as that.

[@JHsillypantsMcGee]

I guess if they are desperate for good young players, that can make sense to me.

[@papironni4690]

This should not have happened if oilers signed them first before the offersheet. It’s bad asset management period. Broberg and Holloway was asking for less than 3-4M combined. Oilers are paying kulak ceci brown Ryan the same or even more combined. I rather have the young guys. This one hurts

[@ccgear4367]

Now the players have seen that the team is one that is underpaying and under developing them.

[@Movedtomexico2018]

Not at all. Players who signed for less in order to win, were backed up by management not matching offer sheets. Great decision.

[@50mattman]

Brutal

[@user-yg1dg6xm2g]

Now Broberg and Holloway increase their chances of retiring without Stanley Cup rings. I hope someone asks them in 20 years if it was worth it.

[@rv2167]

the smart thing to do was walk away. I am shocked the Oilers did the smart thing. It was the least terrible decision as they put themselves in a terrible spot. Oilers are not a worse team and they remain in cap hell, but not as bad as they would have been. I believe their window closed after last year as they are too unbalanced to be a true contender.

[@gopropeterchockey]

Mission accomplished! Oilers are weaker because they lose some young players and time invested in developing them. St Louis pays too much for them but they can afford to lose the draft picks as they would have screwed up those picks anyway.

[@hectorcruces9015]

The Oilers finally made a smart decision. These 2 players have no real impact on the roster other than financially.

[@liveclassictunes]

bahahahaahahhahahhahaaaa!!!! only an oilers homer would say such crap.... Oilers are weaker defensively now. Those two players played pretty good in the playoffs and made an impact. I don't know what you were watching but most agreed especially Bromberg. Oilers look dumb on this one. Blame management.

[@Agoateditz]

NowayI’m first

[@randalwilliams7380]

Broberg wanted out because the Oilers didn’t gift him a position.

[@JohnnyWick9733]

No one cares about the Oilers.

[@aarongorski8168]

Yet. Here you are

[@voightkampffchamp]

I don’t care about them, but for you to say that is big loser energy

[@mctoads8230]

Who asked you

[@JohnnyWick9733]

@@voightkampffchamp The Oilers chose a man that neglected sexual assault offences against his own players. The only loser here is you.

[@JohnnyWick9733]

@@aarongorski8168 yup here I am calling out a team that hired a neglectful manager for sexual assault offences. Here I am.

[@kvpunk881]

The way I see it is if they're willing to sign offer sheets they care more about money then winning, they can enjoy life in st Louis

[@smbears7447]

More money and more playing time I’m sure they will enjoy life in st Louis

[@freetimeflip6438]

Agreed..would you rather live more south with more cities around or just south of the arctic with nothing around.. When theres less then 8 hours of real day light for most of the time they are actually there playing. Has a mental effect on the families and players. Thats without the extreme cold.

[@Daisheng-76]

Yeah, another company offers you FIVE TIMES your salary & you won’t take it cause of loyalty? I call bullshit

[@rv2167]

idiotic comment. These guys aren't multimillionaire vets chasing a cup. They are trying to have careers. Why should they take less if 3 guys on the team take all the money?

[@scottmcfarlane7524]

What a dumb statemen...No chance Edm is in the finals again...MUCH weaker team already and going to miss Kane for most the season .....asking for loyalty when Edm does nothing for them other then make them push there way through the crap of the top line up...good luck keeping any RFA with Bowman in the GM chair

[@Nic_Garscum]

Broberg looked good in the playoffs, in one round and a couple games, when every player on both teams had played 3 grueling rounds and were all definitely banged up while he was fully healthy and rested. He also lost his job in the regular season to stone boots Desharnis, so there's that