Oilers assign Philip Broberg, Adam Erne to AHL; keep Sam Gagner, Dylan Holloway for playoffs

The Edmonton Oilers have assigned defenceman Philip Broberg and winger Adam Erne to the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors on Friday, clearing the way for them to keep both Sam Gagner and Dylan Holloway on the NHL roster.

All four had been recalled to the big club in recent weeks, getting a taste of the end-of-season action.

Broberg appeared in each of the Oilers’ two final regular season games, notching assists on two of the club’s three goals. While the roster was depleted of talent, Broberg fared very well.

At 5v5 with him on the ice, despite being outscored 2-1, the Oilers controlled 52.27 percent of the shot attempt share, 55 percent of the scoring chances and an impressive 63.48 percent of the expected goal share. Given the Oilers took on a hungry Coyotes team who wanted a win in their final game at Mullett Arena, and a Colorado Avalanche club dressing a full roster, those are some impressive numbers.

Erne, meanwhile, appeared in the Oilers’ game against the Avalanche, as did Gagner, the latter of whom was expected to remain with the club through the playoff run as a Black Ace.

Holloway’s continued involvement with the club is no surprise. He’s played six games down the stretch run of this season and has played excellent hockey, scoring three goals and five points and looking like a force with his play. He’s been involved in games with his physicality on the forecheck, laying hits that have helped set up offensive zone time, and has worked on things the organization has asked him to, with improvements to his play with the puck protecting it, as well as his defensive zone work.

Similar to Broberg, a lot of good things have happened with Holloway on the ice in his games. Across 76:51 minutes of 5v5 time with Holloway on the ice, the Oilers have controlled 53.79 percent of the shot attempt share, 52.73 percent of the scoring chance share and 54.57 percent of the expected goal share, while outscoring the opposition 6-4, for a 60 percent rate.

He’s made a case to remain in the Oilers lineup for game one of the playoffs, and the coaching staff will have some tough decisions to make.

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.