Former Edmonton Oilers defender Philip Broberg is blossoming with the St. Louis Blues.
Former Edmonton Oilers defender Philip Broberg is blossoming with the St. Louis Blues.
EDMONTON -- When you come to a fork in the road, take it.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l75NMJYGslA[/embed]
When former Edmonton Oilers defenseman Philip Broberg was presented with an offer sheet from the St. Louis Blues, it offered him an opportunity he didn't currently have.
A chance at top-4 pairing minutes playing on his natural side.
Oilers fans know how the rest of the story goes; the Oilers don't match on Dylan Holloway or Broberg's offer sheet, and now both players are important cogs in the Blues system.
It is so important that the Blues would be without one of their top point producers if the Oilers matched both.
Jordan Kyrou and Broberg are leading the Blues in points, both with nine. The young Swede also leads the team with a +6.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsQ7drbsZkY[/embed]
The 23-year-old defender is having a career year. In 11 games, he has two goals and seven assists, averaging 20:25 of ice time a night. If he were with the Oilers, he would have the fourth-most average ice time behind Evan Bouchard, Mattias Ekholm, and Darnell Nurse.
Broberg has played a total of 224:34 minutes this season. Last year, in 12 games, he only mustered 139:25. He averaged 11:37, nearly half of his current ice time per game.
He's recorded a point in every game except for two this season. Broberg has also played at least 19 minutes a night for nine of the 11 games this season.
The Blues appear to have found the right spot for him alongside Justin Faulk on the team's second pairing. He has a high ceiling, is in great physical condition, and has ample opportunity.
He has a shot, and now he's taking it.
Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more.
Related: Former Oilers Defender Traded To New Team
Related: Former Oilers Forward Hangs Up His Skates
Related: New Oilers' Ty Emberson, Vasily Podkolzin Explode With Big Fights