Quote:
Originally Posted by Flash Walken
IMO he's below replacement level. Would rather give the minutes to Foo or mangiapane, hathaway or even lazar
I think having a guy at 4.5 on the fourth line is an organizational distraction. There was huge pressure on GG to get Brouwer going the last two years, huge organizational pressure to turn this large expenditure into something resembling a break even ROI. Peters won't be immune to this, no matter what is said publicly, if Brouwer is on the roster, he'll be a distraction.
From what I heard, Tre was looking to move Brouwer at the start of this year. He wasn't willing to waive. This year he'll have a 15 team no trade list and his value is even lower, I'd say significantly lower, than it was even last october.
On the one hand I don't think the Flames can afford to lose any forward off the roster because the depth is so, so, so bad, but on the other hand, I don't see Brouwer addressing that need for depth in any meaningful way. In that sense, worst case scenario he gets hurts and you can't buy him out.
That 1.5 is going to be a pain in the ass for the owners to pay out, but having Brouwer sitting there injured with a no-trade when it comes time to sign Tkachuk might be an even bigger pain.
If the Flames pay through the nose for forward help, which they will have to do barring substantial asset out or miracle trade, they're going to need every dollar of his cap hit they can save in order to do so.
They won't be paying hartley this year, they won't be paying GG like they might have been, and Bouma's buyout is off the books. Buying Brouwer out at 1.5 million with no other buyouts or head coaches to pay might mean the Flames are actually paying out less than they have in previous years for people no longer in the organization.
If Brouwer ISN'T bought out I think it's an indication ownership said no.
|
Yeah I remember those rumblings about Brouwer being potentially traded, and then nothing happened. I also remember wondering if it was because he wasn't willing to waive or if the rumors were just wrong. (If there is substance here that you are privy to, I'd love a PM

)
Bouma's buy out cap hit actually isn't off the books year. His and Murphy's are both still on for the 2018/19 season and then gone. Combined they are less than $1 million though.
You don't think sending him to Stockton for 1 season to avoid a 4 year buy out penalty is a good option?
I absolutely do not want him on the NHL roster this year, but I also don't want the Flames with $1.5 million of dead cap space for 4 years either.
Tough call.