Following an eight-game winning streak from November 24 to December 12, the Edmonton Oilers have dropped three straight coming into back-to-back games against the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers. Some analysts believe management will make a move after the holiday roster freeze is lifted on December 28. The Oilers were frequently mentioned in the rumor mill as one of the clubs looking for a goaltender. In Edmonton, there is also persistent discussion over Philip Broberg’s future. The 22-year-old defenseman is currently playing for the team’s AHL club in Bakersfield. Ken Holland, the Oilers’ general manager, has denied giving his agency permission to communicate with other teams about a trade.
TSN’s Darren Dreger said on Tuesday that Broberg still wants to play in the NHL, implying that a trade is more likely for the young blueliner. Dreger also hinted that he may be used as a trade bait if the Oilers wanted to deal Jack Campbell to clear some contract space. Campbell is also in the minors, working to get his game back on track. To entice any NHL team to accept Campbell’s $5 million annual salary cap hit through 2026-27 off the Oilers’ hands, more than just including Broberg in the transaction could be required.
Holland may want to use Broberg to make a major splash around the March 8 trade deadline, similar to how he acquired Mattias Ekholm before the 2023 deadline. According to The Athletic’s Allan Mitchell, the Oilers’ GM has the pieces in place to pull it happen without include Campbell in the transaction. He proposed including Broberg or Dylan Holloway in a package with a first-round pick and a veteran like Warren Foegele or Brett Kulak.
