The St. Louis Blues have signed defenseman Philip Broberg and center Dylan Hollway to two-year contracts. Broberg's contract is worth $9.16 million, and Holloway's contract is worth $4.58 million. The Blues gave both Broberg and Hollway offer sheets on August 13, 2024. The Edmonton Oilers then had a week to match both offers if they wanted to keep them. Because the Oilers didn't match the offer sheets as required compensation for restricted free agents, they'll get a 2025 2nd-round pick and a 2025 3rd-round pick from the Blues.
Broberg, 23, played 12 games with 2 assists, 2 points, and a -3 in 2023-2024.
Broberg had his best season in 2022-2023. That season, Broberg played 46 games with 1 goal, 7 assists, 8 points, and a plus 6. The games, assists, points, and plus mark were all career highs for Broberg. The goal tied a career high from 2021-2022 for Broberg.
Overall, Broberg has played 3 seasons in the NHL. Broberg has played 81 games with 2 goals, 11 assists, 13 points, and a -5.
Both Broberg and Holloway are interesting additions for the Blues roster in 2024-2025. Broberg was a 1st-round pick in 2018 (8th overcall). Broberg has drawn comparisons to former Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester. Holloway was a 1st-round pick in 2020 (14th overall). Broberg and Holloway can also skate well.
Will Broberg and Holloway stay improving their game? If they do, both could end up being good additions for the Blues future. I wish more NHL teams would take the risk of trying to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. It's something you don't see much, and teams could improve by if successful.
