The Offer Sheet Miracle 1 Year Later

[callitwhatyouwant]

Today marks the 1 year mark of when the Blues were the talk of the North American Hockey World. The Blues GM, one of the best in the game Army, decided to make a shrewd move and offer sheet 2 up and coming stars in the league. For most of the hockey world, Broberg and Hollywood were unknowns. 1st round picks on a great team that is a Stanley Cup contender. They had their moments in the playoff run, which put them on the national stage. Armstrong made the move and put the Oilers in a bind. People woke up from their August hockey slumbers to talk about the Blues. Podcasts that hadn't talked since Free Agency opened up suddenly got back on the Mic. They deliberated for a week on what the Oilers were going to do. How good are these players? Do they let 1 go, Let both go, keep both make trades, which one is better? It was a captivating story.

What was the result? Broberg got off to a breakneck pace and registered 9 points and was +8 in his first 12 games. He ended the season +21. Awesome first year campaign being a full timer. Holloway also had quite the campaign for a first year full timer. Like his offer sheet bro, finished +21. He ended with 63 points in 77 games before being injured on the lead up to the playoffs. Would have been an awesome story to see the Prime Time lights for Hollywood but it just couldn't happen.

Has anyone ever made such a bang for his buck deal as Army did in upping the ante on these guys contracts? Immediate playoffs for the Blues in a "retooling" year. Many on this board said this was an overpay, not seeing that it was a calculated gamble and the Blues had cap space to burn.

The closing act on this story needs to be the Blues figuring out how to extended these two.

[SRV1990]

Loved the move 365 days ago, love it even more today. Army showing once again there are several ways to build a team, and improve said team. Great job DA!!

[DawgDad]

I see no rational argument supporting the notion the Blues "overpaid". From the Blues perspective the salary bumps were effectively "acquisition cost", those players could not have been acquired otherwise. As salary at face value the contracts are somewhere between "fair" and "bargains". The side deal was of little consequence to an organization loaded with prospects.

The Oilers can be judged by their actions and inaction. From my perspective: LOL!

[MrPostman01]

"We have offer sheets" I believe was the thread title. What a great read that was!

[Harry S Deals]

Army is horny to succeed in STL hes one of the more aggressive and successful GMs in the NHL. During Army's tenure the Blues are 5th in the NHL in regular season Points thats no joke.

[callitwhatyouwant]

Army is horny to succeed in STL hes one of the more aggressive and successful GMs in the NHL. During Army's tenure the Blues are 5th in the NHL in regular season Points thats no joke.

In the last 10 years the Blues are 3rd in the West for the most wins behind only the Jets and Avs. That's no joke as well. The Army tenure is the most historic era of Blues hockey. What he has done for this organization and it's fans is basically unparalleled for the city of St. Louis. You could make arguments for a few Cardinals GM's include the resident annoying MO, but when you take the Lambs, football Cardinals, Cardinals, and Blues. The best GM for both consistency and duration while getting the big one is Army in my opinion. If you compare Walt Jocketty, John Mozeliak, and Doug Armstrong, they each have 1 championship. Jocketty had a .536, MO a .545, and Army has a .610. That is CRAZY good.

[BalotelliMassive]

"We have offer sheets" I believe was the thread title. What a great read that was!

Don't forget "Get in here fellas!"

[dhsux]

The closing act on this story needs to be the Blues figuring out how to extended these two.

The Blues will have their books in order to extend these two players so the other shoe is whether they want to stay or not.

I believe this franchise is on the rise and if both Holloway and Broberg stay healthy and wise I feel very good about their re-upping here in the Lou.

This is a team that's bonding very well and it's a good home for hockey players.

[TBone]

Today marks the 1 year mark of when the Blues were the talk of the North American Hockey World. The Blues GM, one of the best in the game Army, decided to make a shrewd move and offer sheet 2 up and coming stars in the league. For most of the hockey world, Broberg and Hollywood were unknowns. 1st round picks on a great team that is a Stanley Cup contender. They had their moments in the playoff run, which put them on the national stage. Armstrong made the move and put the Oilers in a bind. People woke up from their August hockey slumbers to talk about the Blues. Podcasts that hadn't talked since Free Agency opened up suddenly got back on the Mic. They deliberated for a week on what the Oilers were going to do. How good are these players? Do they let 1 go, Let both go, keep both make trades, which one is better? It was a captivating story.

What was the result? Broberg got off to a breakneck pace and registered 9 points and was +8 in his first 12 games. He ended the season +21. Awesome first year campaign being a full timer. Holloway also had quite the campaign for a first year full timer. Like his offer sheet bro, finished +21. He ended with 63 points in 77 games before being injured on the lead up to the playoffs. Would have been an awesome story to see the Prime Time lights for Hollywood but it just couldn't happen.

Has anyone ever made such a bang for his buck deal as Army did in upping the ante on these guys contracts? Immediate playoffs for the Blues in a "retooling" year. Many on this board said this was an overpay, not seeing that it was a calculated gamble and the Blues had cap space to burn.

The closing act on this story needs to be the Blues figuring out how to extended these two.

Happy Anniversary to Stillman and Armstrong for having the pills to make it happen.

[STL fan in MN]

I remember this day a year ago well. Picked up my phone and had texts from 3 different guys I know through hockey with none of the 3 knowing each other. I was like…wth just happened in the hockey world…! Was shocked and amazed Army pulled that off. Then came the week long wait and consternation of how EDM would respond. My assumption at the time was they’d let Broberg go and reluctantly match on Holloway as they just couldn’t let him go for a 3rd but was thrilled we got both, even with throwing in an extra 3rd and prospect Paul Fischer.

It’s worked out amazingly well since. Hopefully Army can get both re-upped here fairly soon into the season. My assumption is both sides would like to see how the season starts before finalizing on big extensions for both.

[moose-and-squirrel]

but but.. STOLEN!!

[b-a-a-a-rclay]

DA was hired in 2010. Since the time he was hired the Blues have the most wins in the western conference.

[b-a-a-a-rclay]

DA was hired in 2010. Since the time he was hired the Blues have the most wins in the western conference.

EDIT: He was promoted to GM in 2010.

[callitwhatyouwant]

DA was hired in 2010. Since the time he was hired the Blues have the most wins in the western conference.

that's truly a remarkable stat. I usually do the last 10 years thing with that stuff because you have clubs like the hawks and the red wings who have faded to irrelevance during that period. Add in San Jose and you start seeing the magic that the Blues org has experienced. It has to be one of the least talked about measures of success. Hypothetically if the Blues had 2 Stanley Cups during that time period, they would be in the top 3 for most successful franchise since 2010 by any metric.

[kimzey59]

DA was hired in 2010. Since the time he was hired the Blues have the most wins in the western conference.

Might warrant a separate thread.

We need 45 wins this season for Army to finish with 900 career wins(absolutely doable IMO).
We'd need 59 wins for him to pass Jack Adams for 8th all-time(not completely impossible(Boston had 65 in '22-'23 and Florida had 58 in 21-22, so there is some precedent), but highly unlikely).

Given that Army is only turning 61 in September(Poille didn't retire until he was 72), he easily would have gotten to 1000 had he not decided to step down. Heck, he still might get there if he decides to give it another kick at the can at some point. He probably would have ended up pushing Harry Sinden for 4th All-Time in wins.

Army isn't perfect by any means; but he's easily going into the Hall when he officially hangs it up.

[SRV1990]

DA was hired in 2010. Since the time he was hired the Blues have the most wins in the western conference.

Might warrant a separate thread.

We need 45 wins this season for Army to finish with 900 career wins(absolutely doable IMO).
We'd need 59 wins for him to pass Jack Adams for 8th all-time(not completely impossible(Boston had 65 in '22-'23 and Florida had 58 in 21-22, so there is some precedent), but highly unlikely).

Given that Army is only turning 61 in September(Poille didn't retire until he was 72), he easily would have gotten to 1000 had he not decided to step down. Heck, he still might get there if he decides to give it another kick at the can at some point. He probably would have ended up pushing Harry Sinden for 4th All-Time in wins.

Army isn't perfect by any means; but he's easily going into the Hall when he officially hangs it up.

Great stuff! And what I highlighted in red is something I've pointed out many times in the past about Army. It also applies to every other GM in history, as well as every new GM that will come along. As with any human, mistakes can and will happen. But when you look at the body of work in total and see so many more "wins" than mistakes, Army goes down as one of the best GM's in the history of the NHL.