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Edmonton Oilers' Projected Lineup: Updated lines after Broberg and Holloway's exit
The Edmonton Oilers announced the club would not be matching the offer sheets to RFAs Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway. The two players are now free to sign with the St. Louis Blues, as per Sportsnet.
The move does not come as much of a surprise considering the deals the Oilers made leading up to Tuesday’s decision. The additions of Vasily Podkolzin and Ty Emberson signaled that the club was not going to match the offer sheets.
So, with Holloway and Broberg no longer on the club, the Oilers will see changes to their projected lineup this season, particularly on the blue line.
Holloway was projected to start the season on the third line with Adam Henrique at center and Corey Perry on the right side. However, Holloway’s departure now opens the door for Podkolzin to take his place.
While it might be possible for Mattias Janmark to move up, Janmark looks set on the fourth line, providing grit and depth scoring. Still, moving Janmark to the third line could work especially if Podkolzin struggles.
Beyond that move, the rest of the forward group looks to stay the same. The top line should remain as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins with Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman. Meanwhile, newcomer Jeff Skinner should slide into the second line with Leon Draisaitl and another newcomer Viktor Arvidsson.
Significant changes expected to Edmonton Oilers' blue line
The biggest changes are expected to be on the blue line. For now, the top pairing of Mattias Ekholm and Evan Bouchard looks like it’s locked in. However, Broberg’s departure means Brett Kulak will step up from the bottom pairing to join Darnell Nurse in the Oilers’ top four.
Moving Kulak into the second pairing makes sense. In fact, it’s a move that should have happened regardless of the offer sheets. Nevertheless, Broberg’s play in the postseason cemented Broberg’s role in the middle pairing.
With Broberg gone, the Oilers are also free to move Kulak up into the second pairing.
That move means the Oilers must dress an entirely new third pairing. In addition to Emberson, newcomer Josh Brown figures to slide up into the bottom pairing. However, that pairing is hardly set in stone. Fans should expect some fierce competition for the final two spots on the blue line.
Overall, the Oilers’ defense corps looks to show significant turnover. It remains to be seen if the club will make additional changes as the season wears on. Expect the Oilers to be in the market for defensive help, particularly at the trade deadline.
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