Defense is what we were suppose to have depth on. Broberg had to play as a real stay-at-home defenseman since his second game, a role he probably never have played before in his career, and did it as good as you could expect. I don't expect to and I don't want to see him on the ice in the SHL for another 2 weeks, because his skating after the first game was at like 30/40% of what he's shown before.
Discussion a few pages back but Broberg was slotted last year as Team Sweden's shutdown defender and as one poster established did a very solid job. Looking at Team Sweden's tendencies, they tend to dole out the PP minutes to their age 19 veterans. Through his three year tenure on Sweden's U20 team he's groomed with focus on defense, rose to go to shutdown defender last year, and this year's tournament slotted into a 20-22 minute defender with some secondary PP time which was likely inhibited by the injury which seemed to negatively affect his explosive skating and lateral movement.
This has been a highly disappointing tournament for the Oiler's elite prospect. I felt his first game was somewhat overhyped with three somewhat gratuitous points against a weak opponent but it seemed his skating and mobility obviously got worse as the tournament progressed. This was a humbling tournament for a proud Swedish team and viewing the post-game interview I doubt anyone took it harder than their captain. The u20 is a snapshot in development - an important one with best on best peer competition - but it is part of the long development process required to mature teenagers into professional hockey players. We've seen some clear development areas in Broberg's game imo - continuing to grow a more physical component to his defending, improving his shot blocking and augmenting a bit from a passive stick approach to defending with more active use of his size - all of which works on big ice and more finesse style in European leagues. Adding some physical elements like a Klefbom will help in development for small rink, aggressive and physical NHL play. His shot looks to need work with difficulty executing one-timers and not really showing a heavy shot which would help offensive production. Can't overlook and under appreciate this kid gritted out 20+ minutes/game playing through some form of injury. That's a plus in the character department for me.
We didn't see the best of Broberg this tournament. But I believe this kid has an iron will and intelligence to ultimately turn this heartbreaking adversity into motivation and the workboots required to grow his game to meet the high potential that made him a top ten NHL pick. Tough lessons but it will be what he does moving forward from this tournament's experiences that will be vital to his development.