JUST IN: Oilers to decline offer sheets for big money move

Stan Bowman confirmed to the media that the team’s decision not to match Broberg and Holloway’s offer sheets was a business decision. Stan Bowman, general manager of the Edmonton Oilers, made the decision on Tuesday not to match offer sheets for young prospects Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg, a move that was confirmed to prioritize future salary cap flexibility.

The Oilers ultimately decided not to accept the significant salary increases required to keep the two players, despite trading defenseman Cody Ceci to free up cap space. Bowman elaborated, “We really took our time analyzing and evaluating the different options,” during a Tuesday media call.

We ended up where we are today because we did not match either offer sheet at the end of the day. Bowman emphasized that it was merely a business decision and had nothing to do with the players’ abilities.

The team’s short- and long-term financial viability became the priority, and it appears that the plan is to make changes as the season progresses.

Flexibility in the salary cap was the deciding factor for the Oilers, especially in light of how they plan to build their roster in the future. Having the money to spend was crucial with deals looming for Leon Draisaitl, which Bowman did not elaborate on, and eventual negotiations with Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard.

Even though the team places a high value on Broberg and Holloway, Bowman said that their new contracts didn’t fit the team’s overall salary cap strategy.

Bowman continued, “It’s not that I had any concerns about the players or anything.” “This boiled down to a business choice.” The Oilers’ blue-line depth was questioned following Broberg’s and Ceci’s departures.

It is being noticed, and Bowman responded by saying, “Nothing is off the table,” indicating that the team is still open to adding new players. He expressed confidence in Ty Emberson and Paul Fischer, two newly acquired players who will compete for NHL spots.

Vasily Podkolzin is a player the Oilers believe has a chance to get back on track with a fresh start, and Bowman said it will be up to the coaching staff and team leadership to get the best out of him. At the very least, they will get an At forward. Bowman also talked about Evander Kane’s injury status and said that the team is focused on Kane’s health and will be flexible when he comes back.

The Oilers are ready to make any necessary adjustments as the season begins to ensure that they remain competitive while navigating the salary cap’s complexities.

They took seven days to make other moves, negotiate a second trade with the Blues, and acquire depth in addition to the picks they received as compensation, making it appear as though they were never going to match these offers.