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Draft Day: First Round Selection Surprises Many Oilers Fans

By Ben Steinley

DETROIT, MI - APRIL 07: Detroit Red Wings General Manger Ken Holland addresses the media regarding his two year contract extension prior to an NHL game against the New York Islanders at Little Caesars Arena on April 7, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - APRIL 07: Detroit Red Wings General Manger Ken Holland addresses the media regarding his two year contract extension prior to an NHL game against the New York Islanders at Little Caesars Arena on April 7, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Edmonton chooses to add another left shot defenseman with their first round draft selection.

Ken Holland decided to take Philip Broberg with their first pick (8th overall) in the draft.  The Swedish defense man is known for being a great skater but not much else.  He was able to be named Best Defense man in the Tournament during the World’s this year which is something.  Twitter exploded with surprised fans after the pick despite Oilers interest in the mid round ranked blue liner being leaked days before the draft.

It wasn’t so much that Broberg was picked by the Oilers that seemed to surprise fans but that he was picked 8th overall and that many great forwards were still on the board.  Twitter fans seem to think Zegras was the best prospect the Oilers passed on but many scouts didn’t even have him ranked as the top Swedish defense man in the draft.  That honor went to Victor Soderstrom who was picked by Arizona at 11th overall.

The former LW turned defender from Sweden was a consensus mid round prospect due to his lack of defensive ability.  However at 9 points in 41 games, it is quite clear he has not proven himself as a dominate offensive player either.  The reason the Oilers took him was obviously his speed, ability to move the puck and his size (6’3, 200lbs).

Ken Holland did tell the press that he was taking offers to move down in the draft.  He also said that teams picking 3rd to 11th were all going to get a good player.  It is obvious now that he believed that Broberg would not be available past then and an offer for the pick obviously didn’t present itself.  It is clear the Oilers got the player they wanted with their pick.

Philip Broberg is committed to player in Sweden for one more year before his contract there is up.  There is some speculation that he will go straight to the AHL after that and the Oilers will finally get a good look at their new player.  Oilers currently have a backlog of defenders on the left side in Nurse, Klefbom, Sekera, Jones and Samorukov.  Even if Broberg wasn’t under contract in Sweden, he wouldn’t even see NHL minutes this year if the Oilers had injuries.  It will most likely be a couple years before Broberg is ready for the NHL and that will give the Oilers time to sort out their back end.  If players keep developing at the pace they are now the Oilers could afford to trade three of their five NHL caliber left handed defenders and player Nurse, Samorukov and Broberg.  However time will tell and the Oilers have plenty of options now.

In my opinion the Oilers should have added a forward to their system.  Trevor Zegras and Vasili Podkolzin were the obvious choices.  I think Vancouver got incredibly lucky picking the Team Russia Captain with the 10th overall pick; a player I think Oiler fans will wish they had down the road.

Ken Holland and the Oilers are at it again on Saturday and there are still some great forwards left in the draft.  I would love to see them land a player like Raphael Lavoie with the 38th overall pick but I don’t think he will still be around unless they trade up.  The 6’4, 200lb, center is ranked 15th by ISS and had 32 goals (73 points) in 62 games with Halifax this year.  Whoever gets him is incredibly lucky.  For now, Oiler fans will have to trust in Holland and his past success grabbing talent past the first round.

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