The Oilers recalled defenseman Philip Broberg last night. Broberg, the organization’s top defensive prospect, was assigned to AHL Bakersfield in early December.
The young Swede can now participate in the final two games of the season tournament with nothing left to compete for. The Canucks’ 4-1 victory over the Flames last night helped Vancouver win the Pacific Division, moving the Oilers into second place. Broberg played just 10 games earlier this year and was frequently scratched before being sent to the Condors, failing to score any points and having a relatively poor possession rating, averaging 10:36 per game.
Things have improved dramatically for the 22-year-old in the minors, where he has shown what made him the eighth overall pick in 2019. He was Bakersfield’s best defender on both ends of the field, leading their blue team in scoring. with 5 goals and 30 assists, scoring 35 points in 48 games. His +9 rating puts him third on the team, but he would be first on the team if he played all 69 games.
This is still not the year Broberg considers after Biggest spender of last season in the NHL. , posting one goal and seven assists in 46 games while posting exemplary rates of 57.5 CF% and 58.4 xGF% at even strength. However, he did not have a chance to play in the first 4 minutes, averaging 12 minutes 36 per match. There’s no way to get to those minutes anytime soon. The left-handed defenseman is stuck behind Mattias Ekholm and Darnell Nurse, both signed until at least 2026, on Edmonton’s depth chart. Brett Kulak, 30, who forms the third pairing with right-hander Vincent Desharnais, also under contract through 2026, is generally trying to get a shot at the NHL.
So, Broberg has been the subject of many trade rumors as part of a plan to attract more NHL-ready talent. His performance in the minor leagues this season suggests he’s ready for another extended appearance in the NHL — whether that happens in Edmonton or another organization remains to be seen. He is finishing the final season of his entry-level contract and will become an RFA this summer, although he will not be eligible for salary arbitration until the 2025 season
