Following their acquisition via a daring double-offer sheet maneuver by General Manager Doug Armstrong, Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg significantly outperformed expectations in their first season with the St. Louis Blues. Initially seen as unknown quantities who had yet to secure substantial roles in the NHL, both players transformed their above-market contracts into considerable bargains, cementing themselves as core pieces of the team’s future.
Holloway emerged as a vital offensive engine, finishing second on the team with 26 goals and 63 points while forming one of the league’s top lines with Brayden Schenn and Jordan Kyrou. Similarly, Broberg established himself on the blue line, recording 29 points and, alongside Justin Faulk, forming the team’s most effective defensive pairing for stretches of the season. Their contributions were no longer a question of ability but a foundation to build upon.
As both players enter the final year of their contracts and become eligible for extensions, the central question shifts from *if* they are good to *how good* they can ultimately become. The Blues now have the opportunity to evaluate how each player can expand their game to increase their value, both on the ice and in upcoming contract negotiations.
For Holloway, improvement could mean evolving into a more complete, two-way winger, enhancing his defensive reliability, or becoming a more dynamic force on the power play. For Broberg, a step forward could involve unlocking more of his offensive potential to earn power-play time, using his elite skating to drive transition offense, or being trusted with more demanding shutdown assignments against opponents’ top players.
Entering the 2025-26 season, Holloway and Broberg will no longer be surprising anyone around the league. Their challenge is to build on their breakout campaigns and prove that their first year in St. Louis was merely a preview of their potential, a effort that will directly impact their long-term futures with the franchise.
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