On Broberg I think his biggest problem is general lack of intensity and that is hard to fix. He's often in the right place to do the right thing, but isn't assertive enough to make it happen or gets beat on a puck he should have had.
For example, he has a tendency to make soft little touch passes all around the ice that aren't necessary. He'd be fine if he just passed it like normal, but he tries to make finesse plays when he doesn't have to that just result in turnovers and other problems.
He's like the anti-Darnell Nurse. Often in the right place, but doesn't have the intensity to make anything happen, where Nurse has the intensity, but isn't in the right place.
Good post. I'd use passivity versus intensity and personally perceive it as apprehension to make a mistake. This is a confidence issue but I see how some believe it relates to lower hockey sense. He is also a pure Euro type defender who defends with positioning and stick, more cerebral versus the 'old' Darnell Nurse who engages physically and aggressively (often impulsively). Broberg's still not physically mature and, while I don't see him shy from battle areas on the ice, he can struggle with cycle and net front battles with aggressive, physically strong NHL competition and style of play.
His last three games have averaged 20:25 TOI, 2:60 PK, 15:51 EV. 2 points on a good feed to Bourgault and nice play jumping into create a two-on-one goal by Lavoie. The Power Play ice time is empty calorie stuff which won't be available with Bouchard and Nurse. This is purely an audition for third pair EV ice with maybe some support PK work.
We all want more with the draft pedigree. But realistically this mature phase organization needs a young, developing player to slot in at third pair and stabilize his game and confidence with EV ice-time paired with a veteran. Establish the defending base, soak in development support of veterans like Kulak, Ekholm, Nurse and over time, with confidence, other attributes of his game will manifest.
The question will be if the window phase Oilers have enough runway. Broberg is going to make this team and either grow over seasons into a future top four d-man role or be moved out at deadline to upgrade top four right defense now which isn't good enough as the backbone to being a legitimate Cup contender.