Philip Broberg leaving Edmonton Oilers fans salivating with 2021 WJC showing
Philip Broberg is showing the Edmonton Oilers what they have to look forward to.
Christmas isn’t Christmas without the IIHF World Junior Championship, and the 2021 tournament in Edmonton is currently being dominated by Edmonton Oilers prospect Philip Broberg.
Broberg, who is the Captain of Sweden, has only played in one game so far but he showed in just that one game why he is projected to be an absolute stud for the Oilers.
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He was easily the best player on the ice as Sweden beat the Czech Republic in Edmonton on Saturday, finishing the game with three assists with two of those primary helpers.
Not surprisingly, then, Broberg was named Player of the Game which was fitting given just how impressive he was.
The No. 8 overall pick by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Broberg looked at a different level than anyone else on the ice and you can imagine that it won’t be long before he’s let loose in the NHL.
Anyway, back to Saturday’s game and not only did the 6-foot-3, 203 pounds left shot tally three assists, but he logged 17:57 of total ice time and looked at ease at all times.
He won a boatload of puck pursuits, his ability to transition out of the zone is elite, he handled the puck incredibly well and he also boasts a bomb of a shot from the point.
Also, Boberg’s biggest strength is his elite skating ability and that was on full display on Saturday, with the defenseman perfect in stride which enabled him to transport the puck through the neutral zone and support the offense.
He’s a dynamic force that is also very responsible in his own zone and, while there are certain kinks that need to be ironed out, that is only natural for a 19-year-old still learning his craft and cutting his teeth in hockey.
But, just look at the stick handling in the below clip and you get some idea as to why the Oilers drafted Broberg so high and why they think he will morph into a top-four defenseman for them.
And, while Edmonton Oilers General Manager Ken Holland has already stated that Broberg will return to Sweden and continue playing for Skelleftea AIK after the tournament has finished, things could change.
After all, Oscar Klefbom is out for the entire year and that does open up a roster spot on the backend for the Oilers, and Broberg could certainly help to fill the void left by Klefbom when it comes to providing offense and also perhaps quarterbacking the second power play unit.
However, no matter when Philip Broberg is deemed NHL ready, he’s a star in the making and he is showing Edmonton Oilers fans just what they will be in store for at the 2021 World Junior Championship, spearheading a talent-laden Sweden team that could be in contention for a medal when all is said and done.
Good things come to those who wait and the wait will certainly be worth it for the Edmonton Oilers when it comes to Philip Broberg, who looks every inch a future top-pair NHL offensive defenseman.