Blues roped in Holloway and Broberg with offer sheets, leaving Edmonton to decide within seven days. Edmonton declined to match, trimming its depth and development path as Holloway and Broberg blossomed in St. Louis. The pay-downs and off-season missteps, reportedly led by Jeff Jackson, complicated Stan Bowman’s rebuild and slow-played a Connor McDavid extension. Holloway and Broberg flourished in top-six/top-four roles, while Edmonton faced a restart to its window with McDavid at the center.