Player Discussion 2022 HF Oilers Prospect Ranking #2

[PKSpecialist]

Holloway destroyed the NCAA and looked far better than Broberg in the AHL despite the difference in numbers. He's absolutely #1 based on his play.

Makes sense that Bourgault is lower. He's farther away and a winger.

I don't really get why some people think the only reason to not like Broberg is that he isn't Zegras. Seems like it's just Broberg bias. There's some legitimate red flags on him as a prospect right now. He has really struggled to use his skating in North America because his head can't keep up with his feet with less space out there. If he can't figure that out, the chances of him being more than a second pairing guy are pretty slim.

I never said the only reason not to like Broberg was that he isn’t Zegras. But the Zegras bias is clouding judgement.

He has really struggled to use his skating in NA? Ya, he’s played one season here, split between the A and the NHL…learning two different leagues, a new country on a new continent on a different sized ice surface. Lots of players struggle to find their games in their first season in NA pro hockey, whether Euros or NA’s. And if what Broberg did last year was him struggling, I sure can’t wait for him to not be struggling, because it only proves even more that his career trajectory is on a similar but even better path than Klefbom.

I’m also not ragging on Holloway. Really like this player and he’s going to be a solid NHL player. Guess what? So is Broberg. They both still have a lot to learn. Let’s hope they can both contribute to the big club in a meaningful way sooner than later.

 

[Whyme]

I never said the only reason not to like Broberg was that he isn’t Zegras. But the Zegras bias is clouding judgement.

He has really struggled to use his skating in NA? Ya, he’s played one season here, split between the A and the NHL…learning two different leagues, a new country on a new continent on a different sized ice surface. Lots of players struggle to find their games in their first season in NA pro hockey, whether Euros or NA’s. And if what Broberg did last year was him struggling, I sure can’t wait for him to not be struggling, because it only proves even more that his career trajectory is on a similar but even better path than Klefbom.

I’m also not ragging on Holloway. Really like this player and he’s going to be a solid NHL player. Guess what? So is Broberg. They both still have a lot to learn. Let’s hope they can both contribute to the big club in a meaningful way sooner than later.

I think Kelfbom started to get this much love only after his injury. He was a defensively solid defender who scored 5 goals and 30 points per season, which is valuable of course. If Broberg will reach his full potential I expect him to be better than Klefbom offensively, but likely worse defensively. Apart from the nationality I don't think there's too much in common with Klefbom.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

I never said the only reason not to like Broberg was that he isn’t Zegras. But the Zegras bias is clouding judgement.

He has really struggled to use his skating in NA? Ya, he’s played one season here, split between the A and the NHL…learning two different leagues, a new country on a new continent on a different sized ice surface. Lots of players struggle to find their games in their first season in NA pro hockey, whether Euros or NA’s. And if what Broberg did last year was him struggling, I sure can’t wait for him to not be struggling, because it only proves even more that his career trajectory is on a similar but even better path than Klefbom.

I’m also not ragging on Holloway. Really like this player and he’s going to be a solid NHL player. Guess what? So is Broberg. They both still have a lot to learn. Let’s hope they can both contribute to the big club in a meaningful way sooner than later.

Solid post. Add that pro development of positions is infinitely more difficult for d-men than it is to onboard as a winger which has much, much less responsibility.

While we would all love to have a 20 year old defensemen make the NHL club on his first year in North America, that's the old Oilers Decade of Darkness approach. On a team in a mature phase of development trying for deep playoff runs, Broberg's received a realistic development adjustment to North American style of play and lifestyle. All reports have been positive of a quick study given 22-24 minutes of multi-situational, top pairing ice-time on a mid-level AHL team. GM and head coach have identified that an NHL job will be Broberg's to lose this upcoming season. That's a pretty high confidence level being expressed by the people who's livelihood is directly effected by Broberg's development.

 

[MessierII]

Broberg in the AHL despite the difference in numbers

No he didn’t

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

Broberg is my #1 so course I chose Broberg

 

[tiger_80]

I view Bourgault’s ceiling as a first line winger and Broberg’s as a second pairing Dman.

Broberg ia arguably already a bottom pairing d-man. With his size and speed, he's pretty much a lock to be an NHLer. His upside is No.1 D-man, more realistically a 20 minute player who can do well at both ends of the ice (No.3) (Petry or Klefbom).

 

[Bank Shot]

I would have had Bourgault first so I voted for him. I think its a toss up between Broberg and Holloway for second and third then a drop off after that.

 

[5 14 6 1]

Holloway destroyed the NCAA and looked far better than Broberg in the AHL despite the difference in numbers. He's absolutely #1 based on his play.

Makes sense that Bourgault is lower. He's farther away and a winger.

I don't really get why some people think the only reason to not like Broberg is that he isn't Zegras. Seems like it's just Broberg bias. There's some legitimate red flags on him as a prospect right now. He has really struggled to use his skating in North America because his head can't keep up with his feet with less space out there. If he can't figure that out, the chances of him being more than a second pairing guy are pretty slim.

Broberg had a very strong AHL year last year, but there was no doubt he looked a bit overwhelmed in the NHL games. He is still very young, I think he has a chance still. The size and skating combo is really elite.

Would be massive if he can find his legs in this league and be an impact player.

 

[Whyme]

Broberg had a very strong AHL year last year, but there was no doubt he looked a bit overwhelmed in the NHL games. He is still very young, I think he has a chance still. The size and skating combo is really elite.

Would be massive if he can find his legs in this league and be an impact player.

I think Broberg's upside is huge, but he's also the biggest question mark out of these three. A lot depends on how his defensive game will keep developing.

 

[CycloneSweep]

I’d say Skinner or Bourgault.

 

[BudBundy]

I think Broberg's upside is huge, but he's also the biggest question mark out of these three. A lot depends on how his defensive game will keep developing.

I agree with this assessment. Defending at the NHL level is such a crapshoot when evaluating prospects. They can have the size, skating, and requisite skill level, but still turn out to be poor at the position because they either learn to play the game or they don’t. Managing gaps, when to pinch or when to back off the blue line, where the open man will be on the breakout, and all the intricacies of in-zone coverage: it takes a lot of brain processing power and some guys can either make decisions at NHL speed, or they can’t. You don’t really know until they are there and they’ve had a lot of reps. If Broberg “gets it” he has outstanding tools and could be one of those guys who can really impact a game.

 

[Reginald Dunlop]

Guess at this point both 2 and 3 are decided and we can skip on to 4.

 

[BleedingOil]

Most dmen don’t even sniff the nhl level at brobergs age, he’s coming along just fine

 

[Weitz]

Holloway working hard to keep his number 1 spot by playing summer beer league here in Calgary! At least last night anyway.

 

[walktheboulavard]

Wouldn't it be nice if Broberg became our own K'andre Miller. Big, strong, fast and can move/transport pucks for days. I could see him overtake Holloway as the number 1 prospect in the pool if he were to put it all together while taking care of coverages in the dzone.