The Edmonton Oilers have made two big trades to free up cap space, but will they be able to match the offer sheets from St. Louis for Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway?
The Oilers traded defenseman Cody Ceci and a third-round draft pick in 2025 to the San Jose Sharks on Sunday for defenseman Ty Emberson. Ceci has a year left on his contract at $3.25 million, money the Oilers really need right now. Earlier Sunday, the Oilers acquired Russian right wing Vasily Podkolzin from Vancouver for Ottawa’s fourth-round pick in 2025.
These moves came after the St. Louis Blues tendered offer sheets Tuesday to Oilers defenseman Philip Broberg and forward Dylan Holloway. The Blues offered a two-year contract at $4.58 million a season to Broberg and a two-year contract at $2.29 million a season to Holloway, putting Edmonton in a difficult salary-cap situation. The Oilers had seven days to match the deals for the two restricted free agents. If they don’t match, they’ll receive a second-round pick for Broberg and a third-round pick for Holloway as compensation.
The Oilers' Options
The Oilers now have some time to figure out their options. They can choose to match both offer sheets, but that would mean they'd need to make another trade to free up even more cap space. They could also choose to match only Broberg's offer sheet, which would give them some flexibility if Evander Kane is placed on LTIR to start the year. It's also possible the Oilers decide to not match either offer sheet, but that would mean losing two promising young players.
The Ceci Trade
The Oilers moved Ceci to free up cap space, but they also got a decent player in return. Emberson is a 24-year-old defenseman who has played one season in the NHL with the Sharks. He's a solid defensive defenseman who could play in the Oilers' bottom pairing.
The Podkolzin Trade
The Oilers acquired Podkolzin in a move that could be seen as preparation for the possible loss of Holloway. Podkolzin is a big, strong winger who can play both ends of the ice. He's also a former first-round pick who has the potential to be a solid NHL player.
The Offer Sheets
The Blues' offer sheets to Broberg and Holloway were a calculated gamble. They knew that the Oilers were in a tough salary cap situation, and they hoped that Edmonton wouldn't be able to match the offers. The Blues are hoping to land two promising young players for a relatively low price.
The Oilers' Decision
The Oilers now have a lot of decisions to make. They need to figure out how they can best utilize their limited cap space while also keeping their best players. They also need to decide if they want to match both offer sheets or just one. Whatever they decide, the Oilers are going to be busy over the next few days.
A Trade That Got People Talking
The Ceci trade was a big move for the Oilers, and it got people talking. Some fans were unhappy with the trade, while others were happy that the Oilers were finally addressing their cap situation. There were some fans and pundits around the league who felt that the Oilers got off easy in the trade. They felt that San Jose should have been able to get more for Ceci. Others saw the move as a sign that the Oilers are in a desperate situation. They're trying to get out of cap hell, and they're willing to do whatever it takes.
The Oilers' Future
The Oilers are going to be a team to watch over the next few days and weeks. They have a lot of big decisions to make, and their future could be determined by the choices they make. They could make a few more moves before the season starts. But for now, the focus is on Broberg, Holloway, and the offer sheets.
Oilers' Roster Moves
The Oilers have also made a few other moves this offseason. They signed defenseman Brett Kulak to a two-year contract and also acquired forward Warren Foegele from the Carolina Hurricanes. They also re-signed goaltender Jack Campbell to a five-year contract.
The Future is Bright
The Oilers have a lot of young talent, and their future is bright. They have a star in Connor McDavid and a solid supporting cast. They also have a new general manager in Stan Bowman who has a proven track record of success. The Oilers are poised to be a contender for years to come. With these moves, the Oilers can be competitive and they can be good. But their cap situation will always be a factor. The Oilers will need to be smart and creative in how they manage their cap space if they want to be a true contender.
Will They Match the Offer Sheets?
The Oilers have until tomorrow to officially match the offers. If they don’t, their compensation would be a second-round pick for Broberg, and a third-round pick for Holloway. They are in a tough spot. They've made some moves that will help them be more competitive, but they still have a lot of work to do. The next few days and weeks will be very interesting for the Oilers.
Oilers' Salary Cap Situation
The Oilers' salary cap situation is a major issue. They have a lot of high-paid players, and they need to be creative in order to find ways to stay under the cap. The Oilers will need to make some tough decisions in the coming weeks.
The Future of the Oilers
The Oilers have a lot of potential, but their future is uncertain. They have a lot of young talent, but they also have a lot of questions to answer. The Oilers will need to make some smart decisions to put themselves in a position to win a Stanley Cup.
The End
So, will the Oilers match the offer sheets for Broberg and Holloway? It's a tough question, but the Oilers have made some big moves this offseason. They're clearly committed to winning a Stanley Cup. It will be interesting to see what they do next.
