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Monday Caterwaul: Florida Panthers Open Forum

Jun 18, 2024; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) reaches for the puck against Edmonton Oilers defenseman Philip Broberg (86) during the second period in game five of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

The Florida Panthers opponent in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, the Edmonton Oilers made a pair of slick moves over the weekend as they deal with the offer sheets tendered to defenseman Philip Broberg and forward Dylan Holloway by the St. Louis Blues last week.

First, new Edmonton GM Stan Bowman and CEO Jeff Jackson traded a fourth-round draft pick to the Vancouver Canucks for the tenth overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, Vasily Podkolzin.

Podkolzin in, Holloway out, Broberg stays? Not so fast…

Next, the Oilers moved veteran defenseman Cody Ceci and his $3.25 million cap hit with no retention to the San Jose Sharks for defenseman Ty Emberson. The Sharks also received a third-round pick in the deal.

With Ceci off the books, the Oilers can place Evander Kane on LTIR to start the season, send down one of the two new acquisitions or a player like former Panther Josh Brown to AHL Bakersfield, match the Blues offers to Broberg and Holloway and still be cap compliant.

Yes, if Kane comes back during the season, Edmonton will have to figure something out, but for the short-term, all signs are that are Oilers will match both offer sheets by tomorrow’s deadline and keep two talented young pieces. both former first-round draft picks, on board for another Cup run.

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