There's no consolation as such for coming so close to winning the Stanley Cup, before losing by a single goal in Game 7. However, at least the Edmonton Oilers could claim they'd found their next great blue liner in Philip Broberg, who announced himself to the hockey world during the playoffs, showing why he was picked eighth overall in the 2019 NHL entry draft.
Finally fulfilling his undoubted potential, the Oilers thought enough of Broberg, to trade Codi Ceci and let Vincent Desharnais walk. Then disaster struck, in the form of a seemingly unexpected offer sheet from the St. Louis Blues.
Oilers fans are well aware of how this played out, with the team deciding not to match the Blues' two-year offer of $4.58 million per season. As a result, Broberg moved on and it was a case of what could have been in Edmonton, albeit there was plenty of speculation about how the Oilers didn't help themselves with their treatment of the young defenceman.
Another talented blue liner in Edmonton
At this point, we appreciate you might be wondering why we're making you relive such a frustrating moment from the team's recent history? Well, it's all connected to another young and talented Oilers defencemen, in Ty Emberson.
Emberson arrived in Edmonton during the offseason, as part of the trade which facilitated moving Ceci and his $3.25 million cap hit to the San Jose Sharks. Emberson was coming off a season where he made his NHL debut and had looked promising overall despite playing for a poor team, albeit he was limited to 30 games due to injury.
Now no one was going to claim that the 24-year-old was on the same level as Broberg talent-wise. However, he still had plenty of promise, including being strong, having good puck-moving skills, and possessing the almost invaluable advantage of being a right-hand shot.
Based on the play of Emberson so far in 2024-25, he's been as good as the Oilers could have hoped after overcoming a slow start. He has formed a solid third pairing with Brett Kulak and, among other things, is second among all team defenceman at the time of writing with 53 hits and 17 takeaways. (He also isn't afraid to drop gloves with opponents.)
With how well Emberson is playing, thoughts turn to what the Oilers will do with a player who is currently scheduled to be a Group 6 unrestricted free agent, but should reach full free agency at the conclusion of this season. In this respect, he is mentioned specifically by Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas in Monday's edition of the 32 Thoughts podcast.
Oilers motivated by the past to get Emberson re-signed
Friedman and Bukauskas discussed players on one-year deals, who are eligible to sign contract extensions as of Jan. 1, including Emberson. What's particularly interesting, is the suggestion by Friedman that the Oilers are eager to get his situation resolved as soon as possible, motivated by what happened with Dylan Holloway, but more specifically Broberg:
"I remember Kyle Burrows when we were in (Los Angeles), telling us that the only thing he was worried about for Emberson was (that) he's a quiet guy who had never played in a 'noisy market' before and he said that once he adjusted to that, he'd be fine. ... He was totally right about that. Emberson has cooled down (and) he's playing very well. The other thing too is that after what happened last summer to the Oilers, is that they're not going to be taking any chances."
Friedman goes on to say he wouldn't be surprised if the Oilers and Emberson get something agreed not long after Jan. 1, but what could that look like? Currently on $950K, projections have him getting a two-year deal, with an average annual value of at least $2 million.
Now just because the Oilers are aiming to get something done with Emberson, this doesn't mean it will definitely happen. Money is already an issue for the team, with them wanting to get Connor McDavid's future sorted out this summer, while Evan Bouchard is a pending restricted free agent and also due a significant pay rise.
On top of this, is the ongoing speculation that the Oilers are trying to find quality blue line reinforcements, with the likes of Ivan Provorov being mentioned as a trade target. The thinking is that Emberson could be used as an asset, to accommodate such a move.
Ultimately, we do predict the odds favour Emberson being re-signed in Edmonton, due to being a young, talented and reasonably affordable option. Either way though, the clock will start ticking for the Oilers as of Jan. 1.