The Edmonton Oilers have assigned defenceman Philip Brobreg to the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors Thursday amid trade speculation for the young rearguard.

Subsequently, the club recalled defenceman Ben Gleason from the AHL after a tremendous pre-season and strong start to his campaign.

Earlier this week, news broke that the Oilers had granted Broberg’s camp permission to seek a trade, news that was disputed by GM Ken Holland, telling TSN’s Ryan Rishaug he did no such thing.

But in that same report from Rishaug, he received a comment from Broberg’s agent, Darrin Feris, who said, “This matter reflects both me and my client’s frustration with the Oilers,” adding, “I’m actively collaborating with Ken to address and resolve the issue privately.”

Things have reached a boiling point between the two sides. Broberg has appeared in just 79 NHL games over the last three years, and a mere 42 AHL matches over the last three seasons. Healthy scratched more times than one could count on their fingers and toes over that time, Broberg has been passed on the depth chart by Vincent Desharnais.

While there have been times Broberg can, and should have done more, the Oilers haven’t done a good enough job allowing the player to build confidence at either pro level in North America, making this latest assignment a chance for him to do exactly that. Broberg is expected to join the AHL Condors in Ontario, where they are slated to play a Friday game against the Reign, the LA Kings’ AHL affiliate.

Meanwhile, Gleason has shone early this year for the Condors, scoring two goals and nine points in 14 games. He’ll fill the role of being an extra skater in the Oilers defensive corps.

Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@thenationnetwork.com.