Flames Reportedly Targeted Two Battle of Alberta Players With Offseason Offer Sheets

During the debut of Jeff Marek’s new hockey show, The Sheet, the NHL insider dropped a bit of a news bomb on Alberta hockey fans. For fans of both the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames, Marek’s report that the Flames were heavily considering offer sheets to Oilers players this offseason was a shocker.

Marek shared an intriguing tidbit about former Oilers players Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg, revealing that both were on the Calgary Flames’ radar before landing in St. Louis. He even suggested that Calgary was, at one point, a more likely destination for offer sheets than the St. Louis Blues, where the duo ultimately signed.

Marek explained that Flames GM Craig Conroy was heavily considering using the rare route of an offer sheet to add two young NHL-caliber talents. Had he done so, it would have added significant pressure on the Oilers and escalated the rivalry. It’s not clear why the Flames ended up backing off the decision, but the Blues pushed forward after acquiring the necessary compensation from the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Oilers chose not to match once the offers were made.

Related: Offer Sheet Candidates the Flames Might Look at Next Summer

Marek said a third team was reportedly also interested. He couldn’t figure out who that team was.

Should The Flames Have Pursued This?

Ultimately, the Flames didn’t pursue the offer sheets, but one could make the argument they should have. Hollway has set new career highs with seven goals and 13 points in 25 games. Broberg had impressed before a knee injury sidelined him.

The Flames are still actively searching for young players who are ready to contribute at the NHL level. The cost to the Blues wasn’t prohibitive and GM Craig Conroy could have added two pieces that would have helped this season.

Not only that, but it would have made the Battle of Alberta infinitely more interesting.

Would the Oilers have matched the Flames offer sheets?