Defenseman Philip Broberg makes 'excellent' first impression early in Blues camp

It took Philip Broberg less than an hour to leave his new coach with an optimistic outlook.

"My impression of Broberg when he was on my ice, I thought he was excellent," Blues coach Drew Bannister said after the first day of training camp on Thursday. "Moved the puck really well, we talked about him quickly as a staff. Really impressed with his size and skating ability and the way he moves pucks."

But with the Blues and Broberg, this is a relationship that is about way more than the first two days of training camp on Thursday and Friday.

In acquiring Broberg via offer sheet from Edmonton over the summer, the Blues made a big splash in the restricted free agency market. They overpaid for Broberg (and Dylan Holloway) because they had cap space to utilize, and to secure the services of two former first-round picks. That sort of maneuver comes with expectations, though, from the Blues, from the league, from the Canadian media that Broberg and Holloway came from, and from the players themselves.

Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said he made sure to speak to them about the expectations.

"We're in this for the marathon, not the sprint," Armstrong said. "I think (Broberg has) got less than 100 games, 80 games. So I want him to have a good 10-year career here in St. Louis. I want him to hit the ground running, but we're not going to judge him in October, November. This is going to be a growing process."

For Broberg, his growing process comes off the ice as well.

He's the flashy new toy within the organization, but he has to adjust to a new dressing room, new coaching staff, new support staff and new city. That includes simply remembering everyone's names.

"Obviously, it will take some time," Broberg said of his adjustment to the Blues. "I've been here for just a little bit over a week now. Trying to get to know everybody, the staff, a lot of new names. Just trying to get to know everybody and get comfortable and get ready for the year."

Broberg began camp on a pairing with Justin Faulk, a potential preview of what the Blues could unveil as a second defensive pairing when they open the season on Oct. 8 in Seattle. Across the last few years, that spot next to Faulk has belonged to Torey Krug, but Krug will miss the entire season due to ankle surgery.

Bannister said the Blues will toy around with different pairings throughout training camp, but Armstrong has said the organization views Broberg as a top-four defenseman. For a left-hander like Broberg, that leaves Faulk or Colton Parayko as he potential partners.

"Faulker can move pucks really well, he gets up into the play," Bannister said. "We think Broberg can do that. It's early, and we'll see how things play out."

Broberg: "It's only been two skates, so it's just getting to know him and talk to him. It'll be nice to play some games here soon and get going."

Broberg, who is signed to a two-year deal worth $4.58 million annually, adds an elite skater and uncommon length on the back end with his 6-3 frame. When Bannister was impressed with him on Day 1, what was Broberg doing in drills to earn that evaluation?

"His ability to get back to pucks quickly, to give his partner an out," Bannister said. "And then as soon as the puck is on his stick, it's moving north. His skating ability. If he's making that first touch, he's up in the play. I liked seeing that.

"Some of the d-zone stuff he was in, he closed out plays quickly. Great stick. Uses his body, obviously, he's a big man, doesn't shy away from the physical aspects. Those are all things that certainly, at times last year, we'd like to see more of and he brings that aspect to our game."

Broberg showcased some of that skillset during the Stanley Cup Final with Edmonton as the Oilers lost in seven games to the Panthers. Broberg said "it takes some time" to recover from a loss like that — one that came in Game 7 after erasing a 3-0 series deficit — but he's moved onto the next chapter with St. Louis.

"I was excited the opportunity came," Broberg said. "I was very happy with my time in Edmonton, and grateful for the run we had. Very excited for a new chapter here. We'll see how camp develops and everything, but I'm just excited to help this team in any way I can."

Hockey reporter