Ex-NHL GM urges Philip Broberg's $4.6M offer sheet to be matched by Oilers

By Abhilasha Aditi

Modified Aug 18, 2024 03:59 GMT

Brian Lawton, a former NHL general manager and player agent, believes the Edmonton Oilers should match the $4.6 million offer sheet from the St. Louis Blues for Philip Broberg.

In a conversation with Bob Stauffer on Oilers Now, Lawton said that despite uncertainty about Broberg’s future, keeping him is important for Edmonton's defense.

“I would never let him go,” Lawton said. “That doesn’t mean Edmonton will do that. Everybody has their own opinion. I played the game. I was a forward. People always ask, ‘Why do you care so much about defence?

"Especially a team like Edmonton that is so high-powered, but at the end of the day you’ve got to have good ‘D’ to control the game. If you don’t, you’re dead in the water."

Lawton also pointed Philip Broberg’s growth last season and his potential. Losing Broberg could weaken the Oilers, as good defensemen are rare in the NHL.

Lawton wasn’t surprised by St. Louis’s offer sheet, averaging $4.6 million per year for two years. He saw it as a strategic move to pressure the Oilers without needing a first-round pick.

The compensation, a second-round pick, is small for Broberg’s potential. Even if Philip Broberg doesn’t become a top-four defenseman, Lawton thinks the risk is worth it due to the difficulty of acquiring top defensemen.

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Brian Lawton analyzes Philip Broberg's future and Oilers' roster moves

Lawton also discussed how this situation impacts the Oilers. He suggested that Edmonton has options, like roster changes to strengthen the team.

If Broberg underperforms and they need to buy out his contract, Lawton thinks the cost is manageable. He believes that shouldn’t stop the Oilers from matching the offer.

Looking back, Lawton criticized the Oilers for not securing Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway with two-year deals when they were sent to the minors in 2023-24. He and Stauffer agreed that longer contracts would have been smart.

“Players just want to know they’re going to get a chance eventually. In their case, you can really sign them for any amount up to $1.1 million.

"It’s not going to hurt you no matter what … Even if you’re wrong it doesn’t hurt you because you can always get those players off your cap (by sending them to the AHL), Lawton said.

Lawton also praised the Blues for noticing a "blind spot" in the Oilers’ strategy. He also mentioned that while offer sheets are rare, they are a valid management tactic. The Oilers need to carefully consider their options, balancing the future with financial impact.