An already young and talent defensive pipeline is showing evidence that the Edmonton Oilers might not be scratching the surface of how good their blue line could be in the next couple of years. As per reports out of hte Oilers camp, prospect defenseman Philip Broberg is turning heads.
Not expected to be much more than a player who joined the team as the NHL allowed extra backups during this unique play-in and playoff season, no one told Broberg he shouldn’t be ready to suit up. He said of how things have been going, “I came with the mindset that I would compete against other guys,” Broberg told the media on a Zoom call. “Take advantage of the opportunity here. Take it day to day and see what’s happening.”
Apparently, he has shined with some highlight reel end-to-end rushes, a couple of which resulted in goals during Saturday’s team scrimmage.
The Edmonton Journal’s Kurt Leavins writes that he expects Broberg will be on the Oilers final playoff roster and writes:
So don’t be at all surprised if Philip Broberg cracks the post-season roster. In fact…expect it. He shoots left so one of Oscar Klefbom, Darnell Nurse or Kris Russell would have to go down for Broberg to have a shot. And I’d think a now-healthy Caleb Jones would be tiered above him as well. But history teaches hard lessons to teams who carry fewer than 10 usable D-men with them into the playoffs. Just ask Oilers Assistant Coach Jim Playfair.
srouce – ‘A lesson hard-learned by the Flames may be why Philip Broberg stays in the Edmonton Oilers Stanley Cup bubble: 9 Things’ – Kirt Leavins – Edmonton Journal – 07/19/2020
Even if Broberg doesn’t get into games during this attempted run to the Stanley Cup, he’s proving a solid bet when the Oilers drafted him and that taking their time to develop him in another league was a good idea. Rushing players hadn’t worked well in the past. Edmonton’s patience might be paying dividends at a time they could use it most.
According to Mark Spector of Sportsnet, Broberg may have already passed Evan Bouchard on the depth chart. With no Mike Green, many had assumed Bouchard would get a serious look. That look may now go to Broberg, which is a nice problem to have.
Tippett said of his up-and-coming blueliner:
“He looks to me like a player right now that you can put on left D, right D, right wing, left wing, centre,” said Tippett. “He’s a young player that’s trying to come in and make an impression, and he’s certainly doing that.”
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