The Edmonton Oilers have come to an agreement with their top draft pick, inking Philip Broberg to a three-year entry-level contract. Broberg was selected eighth overall at the recent NHL Entry Draft.
It is still not exactly clear where the 18-year old Broberg will spend the 2019-20 season, as he could either go back to Sweden for another year of development or come to North America to play in the CHL. The Hamilton Bulldogs of the OHL own his CHL rights, and the Oilers have hinted that is where they’d rather have him spend next season. The 6’4″ defenseman would likely get huge minutes in all situations playing for the Bulldogs, something he may not get so easily in Sweden.
Regardless of where he plays next season, the Oilers are hoping from big things from the smooth-skating defenseman. Broberg has all the physical attributes to become a dominating presence in the NHL, though some have questioned his decision making at times. Oilers GM Ken Holland knows he must turn out a quality product this year in Edmonton and battle for a playoff spot, but rushing Broberg through the system would be a mistake.
His contract will slide forward as long as he does not play in ten NHL games this season.
Signing their first round pick defenceman?
Fire Holland
No, starting from the back end is the way to build a contender as defense take longer to develop into NHL ready players. The Oil may not be ready to contend for a few years, but given the team Holland inherited and the cap issues, he is moving in the right direction. He just needs to get rid of Lucic and he will be on the road to success. Lucic with Puljujarvi as a sweetener may help Holland unload the anchor.
You know that TPWR was being sarcastic, right ?
…and he succeeded! July 4th is also know as Sarcasm Day, as you will see for the next 11 hours or so.
Even I have to give “Ken H.” credit for trying to get things better, given the cap constraints he inherited from Trader Pete. Maybe there is *some* truth to the smoke the emanated from Detroit that some of those contracts were, indeed, forced by The Family. Time will tell… As for getting rid of Lucic & Puljujarvi (packaged), that will be all but impossible, due to the lack of a willing trade partner. Paying out the wazoo just to get rid of them doesn’t make good business sense. Right now, Looch is trade-/buyout-proof and J.P. just keeps ascending the ranks to get to be “Big Chief Piss-ant.” Kinda wish Selanne & Kurri would sit down with him and talk/beat some sense into him.
there are a few other Oilers that need to be moved out of their contracts as haven’t seen any news stories on Edmonton’s camp in sometime. Ty Rattie, Tobias Rieder ??????
Gerald Arrington, Rattie and Reider werent offered contracts and are now free agents!!