Philip Broberg’s frustration with his employment with the Edmonton Oilers was made public a few days ago, and on Thursday morning, the team sent him to the American Hockey League.
Only 10 of Edmonton’s 23 games this season have seen the 22-year-old former first-round draft pick play, and he has only dressed for two of the team’s last 10.
TSN said on Tuesday that Broberg and his representative are trying to “resolve this issue privately” after growing “frustrated with the Oilers.”
That came after Darren Ferris, Broberg’s agent, was reportedly given permission by the Oilers to pursue a trade; however, general manager Ken Holland later told TSN that this was untrue.
Broberg is likely to play a lot for the Bakersfield Condors, where he has two assists this season and zero points for the Oilers.
Head coach Kris Knoblauch praised Broberg on Wednesday, describing him as “solid” and a “really good hockey player.”
But he noted that Broberg doesn’t have many opportunities to play right now because the team is battling for a postseason spot and there are six defensemen ahead of him in the depth chart.
The 25-year-old Ben Gleason was called up to replace Broberg on the roster. In 14 games this season for the Condors, he has nine points.
