Broberg had proven as much as Desharnais had prior to him stepping into a far more significant role.
Fact of the matter is that the Oilers had not one, but two left shot defensemen that were capable of handling a primary pairing role at the time. Kulak was an expensive luxury that was limiting the playing time and earning potential of the team's top prospect.
I don't think there was anything wrong with Kulak's contract. He was a movable asset playing at the level expected of him. The problem was the team's lack of willingness to make the logical move. And fans for the mostpart were happy with the 'sure thing' over the growing pains of a player the organization had plenty of time for.
I think part of the problem is we didn't have any certainty at LD until we got Ekholm at the deadline in 2023. Broberg's true opportunity was when we had Nurse - Kulak - XX on the left side, but he didn't do anything with it.
In the 2023 off season losing Kulak wasn't an option because we had nobody of any experience behind him to play. Broberg wasn't ready yet, and deservedly got shuffled out when Ekholm was acquired.
Could he have been given more opportunity? Sure, maybe. But he wasn't out playing any of the LD such that he should step in above them, and was getting out played by Desharnais on 3RD. Could a move have been made to dump Ceci and play him on the right side with Nurse? Maybe, but that's a role that Broberg at that point had given no indication he could fill.
He's more a victim of bad timing and circumstance than being hard done by by the organization IMO.