CALGARY — The Oilers’ two most promising prospects appear to be inching closer to potential duty in an upcoming playoff game.
For one player it would be a chance to build on a modest NHL postseason debut. For the other, making an appearance against the Flames would represent his first big-league game.
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Black aces Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway, the organization’s first-round picks in 2019 and 2020, respectively, both took the warmups before Game 2 at the Saddledome. Though they were wearing suits by the time the puck was dropped, that they were asked to put on their equipment at all means they’re in the picture.
“Those two players are a part of our team. They’re young players,” Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft said. “I thought it would be a great experience for them, especially in this building. We felt they were ready for it. That’s why we did it.
“We have a lot of really good available players that we can draw from and certainly those two are part of that group.”
Both players joined the Oilers for good this week, taking part in the first morning skate of the series on Wednesday in Calgary after the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors were eliminated from the playoffs last week. They, along with Condors captain Brad Malone, have been skating with the team since.
Other call-ups like defenceman Markus Niemelainen and goaltender Stuart Skinner opted to meet the team in Edmonton to further augment the team’s depth.
So, it was Broberg and Holloway, the two farmhands projected to have the brightest NHL futures, who were in Calgary to get some extra seasoning — and be an option to play.
“Being around the team is always a good feeling,” Broberg said. “I’m just happy to be around and support them.”
It means that little bit extra to Holloway. He grew up just a stone’s throw from Calgary in Bragg Creek, Alta., as a big Flames fan. That’s changed now, of course.
“It’s an unreal experience,” Holloway said. “It’s pretty cool being this close and getting to watch the playoffs — especially a Battle of Alberta. Growing up in Alberta, it’s always been a big deal when the two teams played against each other. Now that I’m kind of a part of it, it’s a pretty cool experience.”
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Broberg came off the ice for Friday’s morning skate with the regulars. He was an option to play because Tyson Barrie didn’t come to the rink; Barrie was under the weather but ultimately took his regular spot in the lineup alongside partner Brett Kulak.
Holloway stayed out late to get extra work because he wasn’t expected to see game action that night.
They’re just trying to put themselves in the best position to help the team and be prepared if called upon.
Broberg already had his chance to play his first NHL playoff contest earlier this month. It was a case where his toes were dipped in the water rather than the coaching staff asking him to dive right into the deep end.
With Darnell Nurse suspended for Game 6 of the Los Angeles series for head-butting, Broberg was called up and got into the lineup for an elimination game. Veteran blueliner Kris Russell was also brought in and the Oilers dressed seven blueliners. Broberg played just five shifts and 3:16 as the Oilers won and forced Game 7 at home.
“It was really fun. The nerves were there for sure,” he said. “We were really lucky to get that win against L.A., so I’m happy.”
The playoff debut was the latest feather in Broberg’s cap as he exceeded expectations in his first professional North American season. The bar was set at him getting acclimated to a different environment on and off the ice on a new continent after injuries derailed the end of his last season in Sweden.
Instead, his solid play in the minors, combined with either injuries to Oilers blueliners or COVID absences, saw Broberg become a relatively frequent flyer between Bakersfield and Edmonton.
The 20-year-old defenceman had four goals and 23 points in 31 games in the minors. He picked up three points in 23 contests with the Oilers, including his first NHL goal in the second-last game of the season — April 28 against the Sharks.
“It helped me a lot. You get experience from playing, and I’ve been able to play a few games this year,” Broberg said. “I’ve been really fortunate by that and really happy.”
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The one downside of Broberg’s season was an ankle injury that cost him a month’s worth of action from March 18 to April 22.
If only Holloway could have been that lucky.
Holloway didn’t make his pro debut until Jan. 22 after he recovered from a second surgery on his scaphoid — a small bone at the base of his left wrist. He spent the first half of the season in Edmonton under the watch of Oilers doctors and, as he got closer to a return, skating coach David Pelletier.
The 20-year-old forward got off to a great start with two assists in his first game in 10 months. From there, management felt he had an up-and-down season as he adjusted to the pros. Then, like Broberg, Holloway missed almost a month (April 6-30) with a knee/thigh injury. The ailment cost him any chance of a late-season recall to the Oilers.
Holloway had eight goals and 22 points in 33 regular season games for Bakersfield. He added two goals and four points in five postseason appearances.
“It’s been a weird year,” he said. “Coming off an injury plan is always difficult, especially when I wasn’t playing for that long. But I thought it was a really good year. We have a really good group of guys in Bakersfield. It was a lot of fun. I thought I finished strong. I’m just really happy to be part of this in the playoffs here.”
As Broberg and Holloway bide their time, they’re happy to be in it together.
Once Holloway arrived in Bakersfield in January, he roomed in a house with Broberg, Michael Kesselring, Dino Kambeitz and Ostap Safin. The 2021 World Junior rivals are now roommates with the Oilers, too.
“I would say I’m definitely the cook,” Holloway said. “He likes to order in quite a bit. We get along pretty good.
“Living in Bakersfield together has helped a lot to become closer friends,” Broberg said.
They’re prepared for whatever comes next with the Oilers.
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Getting time in Bakersfield helped both players, they said. Broberg felt playing for the Condors allowed him to learn to make decisions quicker. For Holloway, it was realizing the importance of puck management and avoiding turnovers.
Broberg has already had a chance to play. He could be the next man up in the event of an injury or a decision by the coaching staff to adjust the lineup.
“If something happens, I’ll be ready,” Broberg said.
Holloway could provide an injection of speed and some vigorous forechecking to the bottom six at some point. It’s worth noting that in Game 2, five Oilers forwards played fewer than nine minutes.
For now, he’s just soaking in the Battle of Alberta. Game 1 was the first time he witnessed an NHL playoff game live. He called it a “pretty crazy experience.”
Getting to play in one of the games would take things to the next level.
“I feel like I’d be ready,” Holloway said. “I have no idea what’s going to happen. I’m just here to take in this experience.
“But if I were to be lucky enough to play, I’d be really excited. It would be really cool to play in the Battle of Alberta.”
(Photo of Dylan Holloway courtesy of the Bakersfield Condors)