Blues GM Doug Armstrong absolutely decimates the Oilers in press conference today

In case you missed the news earlier today, the Edmonton Oilers officially declined their option to match the contracts of defenseman Philip Broberg and forward Dylan Holloway. The two players will now join the Blues and the Blues will receive a 2nd and a 3rd round pick in compensation.

Blues GM Doug Armstrong addressed the media after the news dropped today and... boy oh boy did he have some juicy quotes for us.

Just check out some of these quotes.

On breaking 'the code' amongst NHL GM's of not using off sheets:

"If there is a GM code not to do offer sheets, no one emailed it to me."

"That code I have been hearing about, it's not true. Managers do what they have to do for their franchises. If they don't, they shouldn't be doing their job."

- Doug Armstrong

On "overpaying" to acquire Broberg and Holloway:

"Maybe overpaying, if you want to say that, for these guys (but it) wasn't difficult for us because we have the cap space. When their contracts are done, the cap should be approximately $100 million, potentially. ... We think it's a good investment for us."

- Doug Armstrong

On rumors that he wouldn't have signed Broberg and Holloway if his friend Ken Holland were still GM of the Oilers:

"This is a tool that I think everyone uses and should use. I think it was reported that I wouldn't have done this to Kenny Holland. That's the furthest thing from the truth."

"Quite honestly, I'd do it to my mother if she was managing the Oilers. My job is to take care of the St. Louis Blues fans and the St. Louis Blues organization. We saw an opportunity to do that."

- Doug Armstrong

First off... can we confirm that Mrs. Armstrong isn't employed by an NHL team?

Secondly, I absolutely LOVE this. The NHL needs more offseason drama!

UPDATE: The Oilers have also pulled off a trade with the Blues, acquiring 19 year old defenseman Paul Fischer and a 3rd round pick for... nothing. Strange deal.

Read below for our earlier report on the Oilers' decision to decline the RFA offesheets signed by Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg.

This just in, the Edmonton Oilers have officially declined to match the RFA offersheets signed by Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg. The pair of Oilers 1st round selections will now join the St. Louis Blues and the Oilers will receive a 2025 2nd and 3rd round pick as compensation.

From NHL insider Elliotte Friedman and Chris Johnston:

Oilers GM Stan Bowman made several moves in the past few days, leading fans and analysts to believe that he was freeing up some space to match the offers to Holloway and Broberg, specifically Broberg.

In the past week the Oilers have added Ty Emberson, Vasili Podkolzin, Paul Fischer, a 2nd round pick and two 3rd round picks. Heading out the door are Broberg, Holloway, Cody Ceci, a 3rd round pick and a 4th round pick.

As it stands the Oilers will enter the season with just over $5 million in cap space, assuming Evander Kane is placed on LTIR as it is expected.

Standby for official confirmation from the Oilers ahead of today's deadline.