Everyone said Gudbranson woudn't get Gudbranson money, and then he did. Gudbranson was a long time NHL'er, but he also had been a healthy scratch a number of times, and was considered a negative value asset for a long time as well. His draft year was a decade before he signed that deal, so it doesn't really play into that contract either. He had one bounce back season, after 3 or 4 bad ones where he was at best a bottom pairing defenseman, before he became a UFA.
There's always a dumb and desperate GM ready to throw money at the big guy he thinks is a game changing shut down defenseman. I wouldn't say he is worth Gudbranson money, but it wouldn't be the first time a GM signed a big, physical defenseman to too much money. Gudbranson being the perfect example of this.
VD and Gudbranson might not be a reasonable contract comparable, but Gudbranson isn't exactly on a reasonable contract for what he brings, and that's my point. We don't only have to compete with other GM's who want VD for what he is - we possibly have to compete with another GM who is desperate for a 2nd pair shut down RD and is so desperate that he overpays significantly.