They are both market driven contracts based upon Oiler management decisions. They kicked the prime years Nurse and his negotiations down the road until the market reset with $9 million baseline for top d-men. In Broberg's case they failed to act proactively on a known damaged relationships, changing cap environment flush with big money increase, spend their own cap, double jeopardy with two pedigree young players, and through inaction enabled the market to reset the value on both.
It's great to see Nurse elevate his game and reduce an element of this fanbase from focusing on the contract this management group walked itself into. Meanwhile Broberg is delivering surefire top 4 minutes, all situational play, 21:08 toi, both special teams responsibilities with 1:34 pp and 1:03 pk. An injury has pushed the still pre-peak year defender into treading waters as a first pair player but such is the trust and belief in him. The Fowler trade, another buy-low asset deal, will help Broberg continue to establish himself as a surefire top 4 d with reasonable potential to grow into a top pair d-man as he gains experience and continues to mature.
In both cases the market set the valuation of two pedigree Oiler defensemen. And in both cases Oiler management decision making and inaction had costly effect for them.
