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Calgary4LIfe · 07-18-2017, 01:18 AM

Ignoring the OP's list that seemed pretty well designed just to get a rise, I will give my thoughts on Brouwer.

I agree with a lot of the posters above that Brouwer deserves a shot at redemption. I think that given his injury, and also his diminishing TOI and reduced roles which might have been a snowball effect from his injury, there is a reasonable (and I mean very reasonable) chance that he bounces back.

I do think that Ferland at this point might be better on the PP. I do think that Brouwer was under-appreciated as a net-front presence on the PP, but Ferland can provide that AND can get to the pucks quicker in the corner when passes are off. Heck, I thought Colborne was becoming a really solid net-front presence with an even bigger frame on the PPs in his last few months as a Flame. I don't like Brouwer's speed, but I do think that his lack of foot-speed sometimes can be misinterpreted as a lack of compete.

I don't think Brouwer should be or will be stapled to the 4th line to start the season. I do think that Gulutzan will give him every opportunity during training camp and preseason to solidify a spot in the top 9 at least. It will be up to Brouwer at that point.

What I do like is that this isn't some massively overpaid contract with a tonne of term attached. 3 more years at 4.5 million. 3.4 million more or less if buried in the minors (if it ever comes to that). It isn't a great contract and that is painfully obvious, and I do think that even if Brouwer performs to expectations that he will still be slightly overpaid (though, what can you do? UFA contracts are always of the overpaid variety). However, when he was signed the people that were down on the signing felt it was only 1 year too long and 1 million too much. That's not bad considering it was a UFA contract. It isn't a hideous problem. It is a rather small problem in the grand scheme of things, and even then it is assuming Brouwer regresses. It is at most a 2 million dollar 'dead space' on the cap. He easily provided 2 or perhaps even 3 million dollars worth of production last year (maybe even more) so it isn't 4.5 million of dead cap space.

The one thing I do NOT worry about is what other UFAs might think down the road. UFA signings often don't work out. Flames will do their part and that is to provide Brouwer with an opportunity to bounce back, rather than just staple him to the 4th line and eliminate his PP time. That's all that can and should be expected out of a UFA signing after a full season. Brouwer had a lot of opportunity until Gulutzan pushed him down the lineup. Besides, as long as the Flames are looked upon as either an 'up and coming' team (or even better, a contender) then players will sign here, especially if the Flames are paying market value.

07-18-2017, 01:18 AM	#54
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	Ignoring the OP's list that seemed pretty well designed just to get a rise, I will give my thoughts on Brouwer. I agree with a lot of the posters above that Brouwer deserves a shot at redemption. I think that given his injury, and also his diminishing TOI and reduced roles which might have been a snowball effect from his injury, there is a reasonable (and I mean very reasonable) chance that he bounces back. I do think that Ferland at this point might be better on the PP. I do think that Brouwer was under-appreciated as a net-front presence on the PP, but Ferland can provide that AND can get to the pucks quicker in the corner when passes are off. Heck, I thought Colborne was becoming a really solid net-front presence with an even bigger frame on the PPs in his last few months as a Flame. I don't like Brouwer's speed, but I do think that his lack of foot-speed sometimes can be misinterpreted as a lack of compete. I don't think Brouwer should be or will be stapled to the 4th line to start the season. I do think that Gulutzan will give him every opportunity during training camp and preseason to solidify a spot in the top 9 at least. It will be up to Brouwer at that point. What I do like is that this isn't some massively overpaid contract with a tonne of term attached. 3 more years at 4.5 million. 3.4 million more or less if buried in the minors (if it ever comes to that). It isn't a great contract and that is painfully obvious, and I do think that even if Brouwer performs to expectations that he will still be slightly overpaid (though, what can you do? UFA contracts are always of the overpaid variety). However, when he was signed the people that were down on the signing felt it was only 1 year too long and 1 million too much. That's not bad considering it was a UFA contract. It isn't a hideous problem. It is a rather small problem in the grand scheme of things, and even then it is assuming Brouwer regresses. It is at most a 2 million dollar 'dead space' on the cap. He easily provided 2 or perhaps even 3 million dollars worth of production last year (maybe even more) so it isn't 4.5 million of dead cap space. The one thing I do NOT worry about is what other UFAs might think down the road. UFA signings often don't work out. Flames will do their part and that is to provide Brouwer with an opportunity to bounce back, rather than just staple him to the 4th line and eliminate his PP time. That's all that can and should be expected out of a UFA signing after a full season. Brouwer had a lot of opportunity until Gulutzan pushed him down the lineup. Besides, as long as the Flames are looked upon as either an 'up and coming' team (or even better, a contender) then players will sign here, especially if the Flames are paying market value.