I don't mind Brouwer remaining on the team. Unless the Flames are in need of freeing-up some cap space, I don't see the point.
IMO, Brouwer was 'fine' as a 4th liner. His salary stinks, but he was 'fine'. I didn't mind him that much this year other than when Gulutzan would throw him on the PP, move him up the lineup, or over-think things and have him on the ice to take 3 consecutive faceoffs on a 5on3 PK.
Peters' track record shows that he is not afraid to bench guys and/or move guys down the lineup. There is also the chance that Peters finds a way to make Brouwer more productive.
I have said it before, and I will continue to say it - Gulutzan's system was difficult for players of a lesser skill-set to score. The Flames don't move the puck enough, or quickly enough, in the offensive zone and make the opposing goalies move enough. It takes skill like Gaudreau, Monahan and even Ferland to pick corners. I think the evidence of having the Flames miss the net more than any other team was a very strong symptom of that.
It wouldn't surprise me to see Brouwer rebound somewhat. It wouldn't surprise me to see Brouwer continue to decline either. What would surprise me is if Peters overplays Brouwer like Gulutzan did. Now, with that said, I would rather not have Brouwer on the team at all, but I would rather not have his buyout cap hit on the books for 4 seasons. Roll the dice and see what Peters does with him this year.
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