It was a day later than initially reported, but the Oilers have indeed called up Philip Broberg from the Condors.
Mark Spector reported over the weekend that the Swedish defenceman would be getting called up before Edmoton’s game against the Sharks where he could have been slotted into the lineup. While the move never happened when it was initially suggested, Broberg is now up on the roster for their season finale on Wednesday in what could be the final NHL game ever played in Arizona.
To say this season has been one of highs and lows for the 22-year-old would be an understatement. He was sent down to the AHL back in December where he voiced his displeasure of not being up with the top club by requesting a trade. While the Oilers did honour the request, a transaction never materialized and he spent the next four months down in Bakersfield.
That proved to be the case because Broberg took a major step in his development since his last stint with the Oilers. In his last 12 AHL games, he has racked up 12 points, including an overtime winner in which he went end-to-end to secure a big victory over the Firebirds. It was the kind of play that justifies why Edmonton took him eighth overall in the 2019 NHL Draft.
While it remains to be if he will play tomorrow night against the Coyotes, the fact he is back up in the NHL shows he has a spot in the Oilers’ long-term plans. Given that Vincent Desharnais is pausing contract talks for the playoffs which puts the prospects of him staying into question, there could be a prime opportunity for Broberg to get regular minutes next season and beyond.
With 35 points (five goals and 30 assists) in 48 AHL games, he not only leads all Condors defencemen in scoring but is also fifth on the team overall. He also appeared in 10 NHL games earlier this season where he went pointless in that span. Broberg will be an RFA at the end of the season.
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