Blues need to re-sign Filip Broberg to build their core for the future – Hockey Writer – St. Louis Blues
When the St. Louis Blues acquired Filip Broberg via an offer sheet in August 2024, it was a calculated gamble on potential. A season later, it looks like the move has not only paid off, but the Blues now have a top defenseman on their roster. The 24-year-old is considering a major contract negotiation due to Broberg’s emergence. For the Blues, this could be a contract to lock in a top defender for their next competitive window.
Broberg comes to St. Louis with question marks after struggling to find a consistent role with the Edmonton Oilers despite playing 10 games in the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, but there are upsides. With consistent playing time, a clear role, and the freedom to play to his strengths (powerful skating, transition hockey, strong defensive zone play), Broberg has found his footing.
Broberg has become a top-four defender for the Blues. His ice time reflects that. In 81 games with the Oilers, he averaged just 12 minutes and 42 seconds per game. In his first season wearing blue notehe averaged 20:30 of ice time. That trend has increased this season, with the Swede averaging 23:15 of ice time per game.
These factors put Broberg on track for a significant raise in his next contract, which takes effect in the 2026-27 season. It’s unclear how much he earns annually. Blues writer Jeremy Rutherford believes the defender could command $8 million per year, but admits it could be more (excerpted from “Philip Broberg ‘has been incredible’ for us, but has yet to enter into contract talks with Blues,” CompetitorDecember 1, 2025). Even $8 million is a big jump from his current $4.6 million contract.
Why Broberg’s net worth has risen so quickly
Several factors prompted Broberg to enter higher levels of contract negotiations.
age and advantages
Broberg will be 24 when his next contract starts. It’s rare for a blueliner entering his prime who has already committed significant playing time to reach a negotiating point without a long-term deal. Teams hope the cost can be determined during a player’s prime season.
The Blues may view Broberg as a player who should be signed before his market value rises further.
NHL salary cap increase
The NHL salary cap continues to increase. This increases players’ salaries through elite points production, even if they don’t provide points. Sometimes players are rewarded handsomely as long as they can rack up a modest number of points while averaging more than 20 minutes per game.
skate defenseman premium
Broberg’s skating is elite. He is very efficient out of the basket and can create scoring opportunities quickly. Examples of this can be seen in the past few games, with the Blues scoring on plays that started when Broberg brought the puck into the offensive zone.
role in blues long-term structure
The Blues are building a core centered around players like Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou and Jimmy Snugrude. Broberg can become a core member of the team’s defense. As players like Justin Faulk and Cam Fowler age, we can’t forget that “Father Time” is undefeated, and the Blues will need a young player to stabilize the Blues defense in the next few years.
Comparable contracts
To determine whether Broberg will earn $8 million or more, it’s necessary to examine similar deals signed by players in recent years.
Irving Ball – $8.35 million per season
Owen Power signed a long-term contract early in his career based on upside and top-tier potential. Broberg is older than Ball was when he was re-signed, but there are still trends in usage and long-term importance.
Bowen Byram – $6.25 million per season
Bowen Byram’s long-term projections match up well with Broberg’s current value. Additionally, Byram would likely command a higher annual salary if not for his injury history.
K’Andre Miller – $7.5 million per season
Part of that was the signing bonus Coandre Miller received when he signed with the Carolina Hurricanes. Regardless, Miller plays a similar style to Broberg, a big defenseman who skates well and excels in the defensive zone.
Evan Bouchard – $10.5 million per season
Broberg’s former teammate in Edmonton signed a massive contract last summer. Unlike Broberg, Evan Bouchard is more of an offensive defenseman, but his defensive abilities are improving. It’s probably unlikely that Broberg will be paid $10 million or more.
Projected Contract: Duration and Cap
Considering the Blues’ roster construction and Broberg’s age, both parties would benefit from a long-term contract.
Expected deal: 7 or 8 years
The Blues hope to avoid Broberg becoming an unrestricted free agent because a team with more money could offer him more than the Blues can afford. Seven- or eight-year contracts help avoid this.
Estimated average annual value (AAV): $8-9 million
Broberg certainly has greater negotiating power now than when he joins the Blues in August 2024. If the Blues can sign him early, they can keep the AAV close to $8 million.
Is this a good deal for the Blues?
The short answer is yes.
Players of Broberg’s age, skating ability and defensive reliability rarely hit the open market. Locking him down now ensures St. Louis has a foundational top-four back in his prime.
General manager Doug Armstrong knows the hard way what happens when an organization lets one of its top defensemen go. Losing Alex Pietrangelo closes the team’s Stanley Cup window much earlier than they would have been able to retain him. No, Broberg and Pietrangelo are not on the same level, but the principles are the same. Furthermore, in order to compete in a highly competitive league, the Blues need to be prepared to invest in young players and make him the core of the team’s future.
Armstrong may step down as general manager after this season, but there’s no doubt how valuable it will be to the team’s future if he can lock down Broberg early on.
final thoughts
Broberg’s next contract could be a defining moment for him and the Blues. The organization took a gamble on him with an offer sheet, and it turned out to be worth it. Broberg, once an unfinished product with room for upside, has developed into an improving top-four defensive player. He is young, skates well and can play on both sides of the ice.
Broberg is no longer a reclamation project. He is the future of this team’s defense.
