Holloway, Broberg Ready For Return To Edmonton With Blues To Face Oilers

Dylan Holloway knew the day would come eventually.

"I've been thinking about it for a bit. It should be fun," the St. Louis Blues forward said. "It'll be different playing on the opposite side, but at the same time, it'll be a fun experience. I'm excited to play against the guys I went to war with last year."

When Holloway and defenseman Philip Broberg decided to jointly sign offer sheets on Aug. 13, which were eventually not matched by the Edmonton Oilers on Aug. 20, it signified breaking ties with the organization that drafted each player in the first round and looking for more opportunity elsewhere. This, after going on a Stanley Cup run with the Oilers, who fell one game short losing a Game 7 against the Florida Panthers.

Broberg signed a two-year, $9.16 million ($4.58 million average annual value) contract, while Holloway inked a two-year, $4.58 million ($2.29 million AAV) contract and each will face the Oilers for the first time at Rogers Place on Saturday at 9 p.m. (FDSNMW, ESPN 101.1-FM).

From a fan base, the two 23-year-olds are getting mixed reactions. In Edmonton, hey are for the most part now traitors, abandoning a franchise that invested in them. But there are others that understand that each player wanted to progress their careers and get more opportunity, so doing that would require a change.

"I don’t really want to speculate on anything that could’ve been," Broberg said.

Broberg played a career-high 26:51 on Thursday against the Calgary Flames, and Holloway had an assist on Colton Parayko's overtime game-winner to extended his point streak to five games (four goals, four assists) since Jim Montgomery took over as coach. It's obvious that the Blues are giving these young players a chance to grow and be impactful players in this organization.

But according to Holloway, he's expecting the boo-birds to ring out loud at Rogers Place on Saturday.

"I think so. I kind of expect that," Holloway said. "It's a passionate fan base and that's why it was so fun to play there. I've just got to play my game and not let anything affect me, try to play as good as I can.

"Maybe you notice it at the start but once the adrenaline kicks in and you start playing, you don't really notice it. We'll see though. I've got nothing but love for the city of Edmonton and the fans. I'm sure they're upset with me right now, but I've got nothing but love for them."

Holloway is really kicking it in lately, playing larger minutes in a top six role, and Broberg -- after two assists Thursday -- has 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) in just 15 games; he missed 12 games with a right knee injury or else his successful season would even be better otherwise.

"I think most of my game comes from my skating, just working hard on the ice and taking space away," Broberg said. "I think it all starts with my skating and trusting my instincts."

It was, in a way, hard to have envisioned Holloway, the 14th pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, progressing up the ladder among Edmonton's skilled forwards. It would have been difficult to see him supplanting Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Zach Hyman and such. But it's a bit of a head-scratcher with Broberg, the eighth pick in the 2019 draft, to not give Broberg more looks. Sometimes, you wonder if he feels things would have worked out better.

"It's tough to say," Broberg said. "Obviously you want to play your best and play all the time, I guess. But I’m happy with the situation I’m in right now here in St. Louis."

Holloway added, "I've been really enjoying my time here. This team has been great, boys have been awesome, coaches, everyone's been very welcoming. I've been loving it here."

Holloway was really close with Ryan McLeod, who has since been traded to the Buffalo Sabres; Evan Bouchard, Warren Foegele, who is now with the Los Angeles Kings; and goalies Jeff Skinner and Calvin Pickard.

They'll always remain friends but when the puck drops, "No friends on the ice," Holloway said. "But I'm sure I'll see the guys after, maybe before. I'll be good to see them."

Related: Now that they have their players, St. Louis Blues want Philip Broberg, Dylan Holloway to grow accordingly

Related: Dylan Holloway saw chance at greater opportunity with St. Louis Blues

Related: Doug Armstrong: 'Quite honestly, I'd do it to my mother if she was managing the Oilers'

Related: Philip Broberg looking forward to new challenge with St. Louis Blues