Oilers recall former eighth overall pick

The Edmonton Oilers have recalled defenseman Philip Broberg from the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors. 

The recall was expected by many as the Oilers had a bit of a gap between the end of the regular season and their first game of the playoffs. 

Broberg has been on a rollercoaster the last few weeks as he has been back and forth from California to the Oilers several times. The 22-year-old was called up from the AHL early last week and dressed in the Oilers’ final two regular season games. 

He was then sent back to Bakersfield for the Condors’ final games over the weekend and will now make his way back up to the Oilers. Broberg reportedly sought a trade in December, but nothing ever materialized, and he remained in the Oilers organization. 

His play on the ice likely was a factor in the lack of movement as Broberg has tallied just two goals and 11 assists in 81 career NHL games, including two assists in 12 NHL games this season. While he tallied just two points this year, both assists came in his last two games during his most recent recall. 

The native of Orebro, Sweden does have previous NHL playoff experience, dressing in 10 career games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, nine of which were last spring.

While the former eighth overall pick hasn’t established himself as a full-time NHL blueliner, he’s shown he can fill in for the team in a third-pairing role. He hasn’t found his offensive game in his short NHL sample size but did have a terrific season in the AHL, posting five goals and 33 assists in 49 AHL games.