Edmonton Oilers continue to field trade calls on Philip Broberg

Teams around the NHL are continuing to call the Edmonton Oilers about defenceman Philip Broberg, TSN’s Darren Dreger reported Tuesday.

And those teams would be wise to try, given the success Broberg has had in the American Hockey League since assigned there in early December. In 21 games with the Bakersfield Condors this season, Broberg has put up a goal and 14 points, looking like a dominant force showing off his elite skating skills.

“Now, Broberg continues to play well in the American Hockey League, and I’m told that teams also continue to call [general manager] Ken Holland of the Edmonton Oilers to talk about the potential movement there,” said Dreger on Tuesday’s edition of Insider Trading.

In early December, Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reported that the Oilers had granted Broberg and his agent, Darrin Farris, permission to seek a trade, with there being “solid interest” in the defenceman drafted 8th overall in the 2019 draft, Ken Holland’s first in the organization.

Since then, Broberg has struggled to get his footing in the pro game. Prior to this explosive AHL stint, he never played in more than 50 percent of games in either that league, or in the NHL. His numbers with the Condors were strong, however, with six goals and 29 points in 42 games, while his 79 NHL games saw him score two goals and 11 points, averaging a meagre 12:36 per night of ice time.

The Oilers likely haven’t done Broberg any favours in having him often healthy scratched, but in the same breath, he had been passed on the depth chart by other rearguards like Vincent Desharnais.

The latest surge, however, is an excellent for Broberg as a prospect, whether that’s here in Edmonton — where he could fill in on the Oilers’ third pair if they explore a cap-clearing trade of Brett Kulak — or as someone who the club could trade, say, in a Jack Campbell deal. The netminder has allowed two goals against in each of his last four games, winning each of the with a save percentage teetering on .940.

In the same Insider Trading segment, Dreger also noted that LA Kings winger Arthur Kaliyev could be on the move this year.