Ex-NHL GM Criticizes Oilers’ Decision To Let Prized D-Man Walk Away in 2024

[TBone]

Ex-NHL GM Criticizes Oilers’ Decision To Let Prized $9.1 Million D-Man Walk Away in 2024

August 6, 2025

The Edmonton Oilers entered the 2024 offseason with championship dreams, hoping to build a stronger defensive core around their explosive offensive talents. Instead, they made decisions that still haunt the organization today. The most painful was letting Philip Broberg, their prized $9.16 million defenseman, walk away to the St. Louis Blues, a move that left fans questioning everything they thought they knew about their front office.

Nearly a year later, the criticism keeps coming. Former NHL general manager and player agent Brian Lawton has joined the chorus of voices calling out the Oilers’ handling of Broberg’s departure, suggesting it may have cost Edmonton their best shot at the Stanley Cup this past season.

- clip -

Why Does Lawton Believe Critics Undervalued Broberg?

Beyond questioning the trade return, Lawton defended Broberg’s performance during the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, responding to critics who dismissed the young defenseman’s playoff success. Many analysts pointed to advanced statistics that painted Broberg as a passenger during Edmonton’s Cup run, suggesting his strong play was more about luck than genuine skill.

However, Lawton sees things differently after watching every game closely. He believes Broberg demonstrated exceptional skating ability and proved himself as a legitimate top-four defenseman, qualities that have only become more apparent since his move to St. Louis.

https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nhl/ ... broken-up/

[Tony Palazzolo]

It's still hard to believe that Edmonton let both of them go. I remember thinking that we'd only get one of them and hoping it was Broberg. If both of them continue to grow and hopefully win a Cup with the Blues you'll see a lot more stories like this.

[a smell of green grass]

No one in the NHL thinks much about the Blues win. However, they can't take their eyes off the one that Edmonton lost.

In the history books, Army and St Louis will be known more for the Stanley Cup that they stole from Edmonton (and the greatest duo ever) than the one that they won for themselves.

Kinda (bleep)-y IMO.

I would much rather have the GM that builds his team through the draft instead of stealing from other's benches.

[DawgDad]

Interesting, I've seen these comments by Lawton before, perhaps in X or from another source.

There's no mystery here, the Oilers screwed up getting the players signed in their multiple GM transitions. If they didn't want the players they screwed up badly by not trading them. Any way you look at it it was GM malpractice.

But hey, they built through the draft --- until in their desperate FA grab they didn't.

[Old_Goat]

Interesting, I've seen these comments by Lawton before, perhaps in X or from another source.

There's no mystery here, the Oilers screwed up getting the players signed in their multiple GM transitions. If they didn't want the players they screwed up badly by not trading them. Any way you look at it it was GM malpractice.

But hey, they built through the draft --- until in their desperate FA grab they didn't.

Indeed. Their GM malpractice, along with the Blues's GM excellence.

[dhsux]

Interesting, I've seen these comments by Lawton before, perhaps in X or from another source.

There's no mystery here, the Oilers screwed up getting the players signed in their multiple GM transitions. If they didn't want the players they screwed up badly by not trading them. Any way you look at it it was GM malpractice.

But hey, they built through the draft --- until in their desperate FA grab they didn't.

Indeed. Their GM malpractice, along with the Blues's GM excellence.

Well they counted on having their cake and getting to eat it too.

A really really bad calculation.

[SRV1990]

This was a huge win, actually two wins, by the Blues. No question. Everyone is talking about it.

[Backesdraft]

No one in the NHL thinks much about the Blues win. However, they can't take their eyes off the one that Edmonton lost.

In the history books, Army and St Louis will be known more for the Stanley Cup that they stole from Edmonton (and the greatest duo ever) than the one that they won for themselves.

Kinda (bleep) IMO.

I would much rather have the GM that builds his team through the draft instead of stealing from other's benches.

Well I’d rather be able to visit this forum without having to read drivel - in every thread - from a human doormat with a 2nd grade education who lives in his moms basement and exists on bologna sandwiches. Sometimes we don’t get what we want though.

[netboy65]

No one in the NHL thinks much about the Blues win. However, they can't take their eyes off the one that Edmonton lost.

In the history books, Army and St Louis will be known more for the Stanley Cup that they stole from Edmonton (and the greatest duo ever) than the one that they won for themselves.

Kinda (bleep) IMO.

I would much rather have the GM that builds his team through the draft instead of stealing from other's benches.

Extremely flawed argument as per usual.

[larueskee]

After they lost in the finals I went to the Edmonton futures board and asked if optimism would be better if they still had the 2 young players. I was warned for trolling. So I know many are upset about the loss of Broberg and Hollywood.

[SRV1990]

No one in the NHL thinks much about the Blues win. However, they can't take their eyes off the one that Edmonton lost.

In the history books, Army and St Louis will be known more for the Stanley Cup that they stole from Edmonton (and the greatest duo ever) than the one that they won for themselves.

Kinda (bleep) IMO.

I would much rather have the GM that builds his team through the draft instead of stealing from other's benches.

Well I’d rather be able to visit this forum without having to read drivel - in every thread - from a human doormat with a 2nd grade education who lives in his moms basement and exists on bologna sandwiches. Sometimes we don’t get what we want though.

Can you imagine being such a brain dead d-bag that you'd value HOW a team acquires talent more than the results of the talent acquired? I mean, no one can truly be that stupid, right? Count me as one who doesn't give two [censored] how any of the professional teams I support acquires their talent, as long as they win. "Just win, baby" - Al Davis

[theograce]

5:32 am googling Blues…everyday

[BluesDom]

No one in the NHL thinks much about the Blues win. However, they can't take their eyes off the one that Edmonton lost.

In the history books, Army and St Louis will be known more for the Stanley Cup that they stole from Edmonton (and the greatest duo ever) than the one that they won for themselves.

Kinda (bleep) IMO.

I would much rather have the GM that builds his team through the draft instead of stealing from other's benches.

Well I’d rather be able to visit this forum without having to read drivel - in every thread - from a human doormat with a 2nd grade education who lives in his moms basement and exists on bologna sandwiches. Sometimes we don’t get what we want though.

Can you imagine being such a brain dead d-bag that you'd value HOW a team acquires talent more than the results of the talent acquired? I mean, no one can truly be that stupid, right? Count me as one who doesn't give two [censored] how any of the professional teams I support acquires their talent, as long as they win. "Just win, baby" - Al Davis

You can say that again. Brain Dead Dou che Bag he is.

[callitwhatyouwant]

this has to be one of the best fleece jobs in recent years. It will be cemented if they can actually extend him and hollywood. Masterclass by Army, even more impressive that no one so far has attempted it this offseason. probably due to the warning shot across the bow for all orgs to get their books right.

One of the best drafters in the league, Stanley Cup Champion GM, and waiver wire entrepreneur Doug Armstrong.

[Natl20]

No one in the NHL thinks much about the Blues win. However, they can't take their eyes off the one that Edmonton lost.

In the history books, Army and St Louis will be known more for the Stanley Cup that they stole from Edmonton (and the greatest duo ever) than the one that they won for themselves.

Kinda (bleep) IMO.

I would much rather have the GM that builds his team through the draft instead of stealing from other's benches.

Well I’d rather be able to visit this forum without having to read drivel - in every thread - from a human doormat with a 2nd grade education who lives in his moms basement and exists on bologna sandwiches. Sometimes we don’t get what we want though.

Can you imagine being such a brain dead d-bag that you'd value HOW a team acquires talent more than the results of the talent acquired? I mean, no one can truly be that stupid, right? Count me as one who doesn't give two [censored] how any of the professional teams I support acquires their talent, as long as they win. "Just win, baby" - Al Davis

I know in baseball both the Angels / Dodgers and their fans hate that they acquired Ohtani via the international signing / free agent signing and not the draft! It happens all the time, people want players in the draft!! (nvm that only applies to the brain dead)

[STL fan in MN]

No one in the NHL thinks much about the Blues win. However, they can't take their eyes off the one that Edmonton lost.

In the history books, Army and St Louis will be known more for the Stanley Cup that they stole from Edmonton (and the greatest duo ever) than the one that they won for themselves.

Kinda (bleep) IMO.

I would much rather have the GM that builds his team through the draft instead of stealing from other's benches.

Good thing we have a GM that does both then, huh?

Thomas, Kyrou, Parayko, Binnington and many others came through the draft. Neighbours, Bolduc, Snuggerud…next will be Dvorsky, Lindstein, Carbonneau, Stenberg, Jiricek etc.