Posted this in grade the first day of UFA. Thought it might be more appropriate here.
Some are adamant that the Flames dropped the ball in not coming up with a qualifying offer and eventually losing Joe.
The Flames were not going to arbitration. Period. Nor was he tradable under the veil of potential arbitration.
When a agreeable number could not be negotiated, the Flames went in another direction.
They signed a player who is a consistent and hard to play against 40 point player who makes the players he plays with better.
It is doubtful that many here will claim that Joe had the wear with all to become that type of player.
Great person and an asset to the community but...he put all his chips in and lost to a far better hand.
Brouwer is a proven commodity who will make a big and positive difference to the Flames and specifically their young players.
That in itself is worth a good portion of what he is being paid.
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