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Broberg expresses excitement about joining the Blue team following offer sheet saga
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    Broberg expresses excitement about joining the Blue team following offer sheet saga

    Philip Broberg offered up the kind of pat answers you’d expect on Tuesday after the offer sheet presented to him by the St. Louis Blues was not matched by the Edmonton Oilers.

    There was a lot of “very excited to be a Blue,” and “looking forward to meeting everybody,” and “excited to get to camp.”

    Which should probably come as no surprise. The Swede is 23, having played just 81 big-league games over three seasons, coming off a three-year entry-level deal. Now, he has quadrupled his salary with the Blues, after Edmonton took a pass at the two-year contract worth $9.16 million St. Louis offered him.

    He may very well be wondering if someone is going to pinch and wake him up.

    “At the end of the day it’s business,” he said, when asked why he decided to go the offer-sheet route, the method being so rare that one had not successfully been employed in the NHL since 2021.

    Having played just 12 regular-season games this past season, plus 10 in the playoffs, Broberg clearly saw an opportunity in St. Louis that he could not ignore.

    “It’s been wild,” Broberg said about what life has been like for the past week, before shifting back to the, “I’m very happy to be a St. Louis Blue” line he employed diligently throughout the 15-minute Zoom call with reporters.

    Whether Broberg, who was the Oilers’ eighth-overall pick in 2019, ever thought he’d actually wind up in St. Louis will remain unknown to the rest of us — “I guess you never know,” was all he’d offer when asked if he’d contemplated he’d be changing teams at the start of the off-season. He is one now, along with teammate Dylan Holloway, whose offer sheet also went unmatched.

    But before he goes, Broberg made a point of making sure everyone understood this wasn’t personal.

    “I have nothing bad to say about the fans at all,” Broberg said. ”I’m very happy about my time in Edmonton.

    “The fans in Edmonton are great.”

    No doubt many of those fans have circled Dec. 7 on their calendars. That’s when the Blues pay their first visit to Edmonton and fans can let Broberg know how much he is missed.

    More from Sportsnet
    Broberg, Holloway join Blues after Oilers decline to match offer sheets


    ‘Cap space is king’: Fans react to offer sheet drama

    After a tumultuous period of uncertainty, forward Joel Eriksson Ek has officially signed an offer sheet with the Toronto Maple Leafs, marking a significant turning point in his career. The 24-year-old Swede, who has spent his entire NHL career with the Minnesota Wild, expressed his excitement about joining the Blue team and the opportunity to play alongside some of the league’s top talent.

    In a recent interview, Eriksson Ek spoke about his decision to sign with the Maple Leafs and his eagerness to contribute to their success. “I’m really excited to join the Blue team and be a part of such a talented group of players,” he said. “I believe that we have the potential to do great things together, and I can’t wait to get started.”

    The offer sheet saga began when Eriksson Ek became a restricted free agent at the end of last season. After months of negotiations with the Wild, he ultimately decided to test the free-agent market and explore his options with other teams. The Maple Leafs quickly emerged as a frontrunner for his services, offering him a lucrative contract that he couldn’t refuse.

    Despite the drama surrounding his decision to sign with Toronto, Eriksson Ek is focused on the future and the opportunities that lie ahead. “I’m grateful for the support of my family, my agents, and my fans throughout this process,” he said. “I’m looking forward to making the most of this new chapter in my career and helping the Blue team achieve their goals.”

    As Eriksson Ek prepares to join his new team, he is determined to make a positive impact both on and off the ice. With his strong work ethic, leadership skills, and scoring ability, he is poised to become a key player for the Maple Leafs and help them compete for a Stanley Cup championship.

    In conclusion, Joel Eriksson Ek’s decision to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs marks a significant milestone in his career and promises an exciting future ahead. As he embarks on this new journey with the Blue team, fans can expect to see him bring his best game every night and contribute to their success in a meaningful way.