Oilers locker room reason why Broberg and Holloway offers were not matched

In a recent article by Mark Spector, there could be some clarity as to why the Oilers did not try to keep two very talented players who can become long-term future stars for Edmonton.

The organization has been asking core veterans for the team like Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid to take pay cuts by the millions in order to maintain a competitive team that can play for multiple Cups in the years to come.

There is no way they can ask these players to take cuts and then provide offers to young players who have not really proven themselves yet.

Both Holloway and Broberg were being given contracts in the $1 million range, to play on a team that they could develop with and play for a Cup now. The Blues came along and more than doubled their salaries, making it impossible for the Oilers to return those offers. Specifically, Broberg who has played in 81 NHL games and is receiving approximately $4.58 million from St. Louis.

Mostly everyone was hopefully that the Oilers were going to be able to match these offer sheets to these two players who were essentially poached from Edmonton by St. Louis. The money was too big to match, and for a very good reason. The Oilers have received some draft pick options and may have to start over with the development phase on new players.

We will see how this ends up playing out for both teams as the new season progresses.

As Read On: Oilers Daily -
Locker room reason why Edmonton Oilers let both RFAs walk in offer sheets