This in from former Edmonton Oilers defenceman Ladi Smid, his taken on the whether or not the Edmonton Oilers players will be upset by the Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway situation.
This question is being hotly debated in Edmonton just now.
Smid was asked by Oilers fan Kevin McCurdy (son of the Cult of Hockey’s Bruce) on X about the matter: “How would the perceptions of Broberg and Holloway likely change in the locker room because of these offer sheets? If the Oilers match, is it now a tainted environment for them? Or would the players be reasonable that it would be crazy for them (esp. Broberg @ 450% increase) to turn down the money?”
In response, Smid said, “That’s really tough to say. This is part of the business. Rules allow this to happen. I wouldn’t blame those two guys. Though there might be other players affected by this so I’m sure they won’t be happy about it. That being said, I think the team knows what’s in stake. This is a big season for the Oilers and I don’t think they can let something like this affect what they are after. I know fans are pissed at whoever (those two players or management). At the end of the day they are trying to win the Stanley Cup and they are all professionals.”
My take
1 Great questions from McCurdy and Smid gave the perfect answer here, at least if you’re looking for a reasonable, calm and informed take. In Edmonton it’s all about winning the Stanley Cup. The players will keep their eyes on that prize, not get distracted by outside factors, not even controversial contract negotiations.
2. A large number of fans are greatly upset about what they see as a lack of loyalty from Broberg and Holloway. The two are seen by some as going against the new Oilers ethic of accepting a discount contract in order to help the team win. Broberg and Holloway are seen as almost certainly upsetting Edmonton’s veteran players by not waiting their turn for a big pay day. They’re seen as betraying the team and the city for not sticking with the Oilers and Edmonton.
These concerns are rampant and heartfelt. Some folks feel betrayed. At another time in my life, as a much younger man and ego-involved Oilers fan, I might well have felt this way as well. But I don’t just now.
2. Broberg or Holloway betrayed no one in signing these offer sheets, and I say that even as it’s evident these are key Oilers players and the salary cap implications are immense. This is a huge mess for the Oilers.
I’ve also strongly advocated for players to take Stanley Cup discount contracts. It’s harder to do that when some players push hard to maximize their salaries.
If the Oilers decide to match, some fans and pundits will suggest that Oilers management implicitly accepting this money-first, me-first tactic.
Finally, I can also imagine that players who might be traded out of town or sent to the American Hockey League due to this situation might well be upset, just as Smid suggests. If Broberg or Holloway were to suddenly play poorly this year in Edmonton, I could see players and fans ticked off with them and perhaps making a major issue out of their new contracts.
This is not a nothing issue. It has the potential to get ugly. But I strongly doubt it will. Again, these are professional athletes who all understand the urge to make more money. They’re also competitors who yearn to win the Cup, so they’re unlikely to let small things they can’t control become big things that get in the way of what they can control, namely the relentless focus it takes to win.
3. My own perspective is that if Oilers players decide that money is most important to them, that’s their business. Everyone has a different attitude about money and about what they need to be happy. Who am I to tell them what is right or what they and their families need? That is their business, not my business.
I might not like it if every Oilers player gets super greedy, and I might not follow the team any more if that were the case, but I’m not going to be resentful about it, let alone feel betrayed.
All the players owe to me and to every other Edmonton fan is their supreme effort when they are under contract. End of story.
4. I have empathy for Broberg and Holloway. Neither has made their fortune yet in hockey. They are not veterans who have made $10 million or $20 million or $50 million or a $100 million playing hockey. They had strong playoff performances, but they weren’t even full-time Oilers this year. They’re both one major injury away from not having successful NHL careers. Under such circumstances, would it not have been grossly irresponsible to them and their loved ones not to take such magnificent offer sheets?
It was brilliant of St. Louis to target the Oilers, and it was perfectly reasonable for both players to sign with St. Louis. Now Edmonton has the right to match if that is in its interest.
5. In July 1989, Larry Robinson signed an offer sheet from the Los Angeles Kings and Guy Lafleur signed one with the Quebec Nordiques. Robinson and Lafleur ended up on their new teams when Montreal refused to match. Did the two Montreal Canadiens greats betray the Habs signing those offer sheets?
6. In the salary cap era, Vancouver’s Ryan Kesler signed an offer sheet with Philadelphia, St. Louis Blues centre David Backes signed one with Vancouver, Chicago’s Niklas Hjalmarsson signed one with San Jose, Nashville’s Shea Weber signed one with Philadelphia, Colorado’s Ryan O’Reilly signed one with Calgary, and Carolina’s Sebastian Aho signed one with Montreal.
In each case, these were promising or established young players who signed offer sheets with a rival team. In each case, their existing team matched the offer sheet, and the player went on to play great hockey for that team. Do all of these offer sheet signings represent betrayals? Were all these players traitors? Was there major trouble with their old teammates? Or was this simply business as usual in the NHL, with most everyone staying calm and the players fitting back easily with their existing teams?
7. I did not get worked up when Dustin Penner signed an offer sheet in Edmonton. I thought Anaheim had maybe screwed up and that Edmonton made a solid move. I can hardly get ticked off now about Broberg and Holloway signing offer sheets with St. Louis, can I?
8. If the Edmonton Oilers match — and I can’t see them doing otherwise — all will be forgiven if Broberg and Holloway play well and the Oilers win. There will be endless controversy if they don’t play well and/or the Oilers lose.
Given the youth, talent and track record of the team, and given Edmonton’s roster, I would say it’s 70/30 things will work out well for all of the Oilers, Broberg and Holloway if Edmonton matches.
How do you see those odds?
At the Cult of Hockey
McCURDY: Blues going after Oilers where it hurts, trying to grab their youth and speed
STAPLES: Oilers have a trump card to play against Blues
STAPLES: Did Holland cough up the puck in failing to sign Broberg, Holloway?
McCURDY: Looking highly likely Kane will go on Injured Reserve