Why Philip Broberg Making Team Sweden Isn’t a “Salt in the Wound” for Oilers Fans

When news broke that Philip Broberg had been selected to Team Sweden ahead of Mattias Ekholm, the immediate reaction around Oilers social media was predictable. Another former or developing defenseman getting international recognition, while a core contributor stays home? On the surface, it felt like another reminder of what could have been.

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But dig a little deeper, and this isn’t salt in the wound for Edmonton Oilers fans at all. In fact, it might quietly be a win.

Broberg’s selection speaks volumes for his progress and potential. It is obvious that Sweden values mobility and passing on defense and has chosen to go young on defense, and Broberg embodies each of those qualities. His skating and passing abilities with the puck make him an obvious choice for international play, where speed and systems play as much of a role as pure strength. As far as skill building for Broberg, this is exactly the kind of experience he needs to continue his improvement.

Ekholm Gets The Rest He Deserves

But the real story for Edmonton fans lies with Ekholm — and why his absence may actually be beneficial.

Ekholm has been one of the Oilers’ most important defenders since arriving in Edmonton. He plays heavy minutes, handles tough matchups, and provides the steady presence that allows players like Evan Bouchard to thrive offensively. With that workload comes wear and tear, and history has shown that international tournaments can carry real risk for veteran players.

Oilers fans don’t have to look very long to realize that’s a concern. At the Four Nations Tournament, Ekholm suffered an injury that lingered and affected his availability and effectiveness afterward. Those types of injuries rarely, if ever, make the headlines at the time, but they often pop up later in the NHL season when teams are fighting for playoff positioning.

This time, sitting out because Ekholm needs rest, recovery, and preparation. Instead of being buffeted around in high-pressure playoff series overseas, he gets to take care of himself, work in conjunction with the Oilers’ staff, and be ready to rock and roll when it really counts: during the playoff push.

From Edmonton’s perspective, that’s not a loss. That’s asset protection.

Mattias Ekholm: Being Rested Matters

The international community gets to see more of Broberg, and Ekholm gets to remain sharp – a best of both worlds situation for Edmonton. Sweden now has a young defenseman they would like to test in a pressure-cooker situation, and Edmonton retains an integral veteran without increasing their exposure.

Thus, even if initial reporting seems to be an insult, it is in fact nothing of the sort. It is about timing, about roles, about prioritization. The fact that Broberg has been chosen has everything to do with his own trajectory. The fact that Ekholm has been left out has everything to do with Sweden’s roster needs, and ultimately, Edmonton’s future.

What it means to Oilers fans is that a healthy Mattias Ekholm in the spring is well worth more than an international game in the middle of the season. And that’s just a damn insult to the wound.

Next: Former Oiler Makes Team Sweden, Ekholm Left Off Olympic Roster