Mark Messier and PK Subban Call Out Oilers' Biggest Mistake This Offseason

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Liam McCormick
October 15, 2024 (6:44 PM)

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Mark Messier and PK Subban are teaming up for the first time this year to cover an Oilers game on ESPN, and the two hockey legends criticized the team for a big offseason mistake.

Insider Emily Kaplan was speaking about reporters that the Oilers are interested in signing a number of veteran defenceman, and it sent off Mark Messier. The Former Oiler legend said the team's defensive problems are a result of letting Philip Broberg walk in the offer sheet.

»Well, I thought they had a pretty good defenceman that played pretty well in the Stanley Cup Playoffs last year, it was Broberg. They decided not to sign him, and he's gonna be a tough guy to replace. I thought he was right on the brink

They paid some money in the offseason with some free agents there, and they didn't wanna put it there, but I'll tell you what. When you got a young 6'4 defenceman that can skate like that, play like that in the Stanley Cup Final, I would have thought that would be money well spent. And now they're struggling on defence and they're looking to sign a veteran free agent.»
- Mark Messier

Messier raises a valid criticism towards the Oilers front office here. They clearly spent more money to improve their league-best offence, and left themselves vulnerable to losing a young prospect breaking out to the offer sheet in St. Louis. Broberg had just begun to play NHL games in the playoffs of last year, immediately making an impact with his slick skating and puck moving ability. With the Blues so far this year, Broberg has a goal and two assists in three games.

The Oilers investment into their forwards came at the cost of their defence, and it was arguably the position they needed to improve at the most. Losing players like Cody Ceci and Vincent Desharnais is hurting the Oilers right now, but losing a player like Broberg over just a few million dollars may hurt the Oilers for a long time.

Regardless, Philip Broberg isn't a reason the Oilers made it to the Cup Final in the first place, and the loss shouldn't affect their ability to compete for the Cup this year. The Oilers will likely need to make an impact trade to get a quality defenceman for the playoffs, but they do have the cap space and the assets to make that trade.