There was no punishment. We are just a win-now team and Broberg required a bit of patience. I remember last year we paired him with Ekholm to start the year because the organization valued him so highly. But, of course there were injuries and other problems and the team crashed and burned, and so decisions were made to scrap for every win we could get. Broberg got less leash and we sent him down so he could get playing time
Even after the playoffs the org loved him. Jackson just thought we could squeeze extra value out of him and Holloway because we are contenders and they'd want to lose some cash to stay here. They both would have stayed here, but Jackson just chiseled them a step too far. Both were willing to take much less than their current salary to stay here, especially Broberg
And btw I was right there on Broberg's side, pushing him as much as anyone. I really thought of him as our replacement for Ekholm. That's how highly I valued him and he's quickly reaching that potential. I don't think Holloway will hit Broberg's peak. It will just take more time.
I guess our management just didn't want to wait