[Signing] Flames sign Brouwer (4 yrs, $4.5mil AAV, NTC)

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by New Era

The most important thing about this trade is the Flames got bigger today. And not just bigger because of Brouwer's physical size. The whole team got bigger because Brouwer is the type of guy that will step up and beat the #### out of someone for doing something stupid. The Flames haven't had this type of player since McGrattan. The Flames haven't had this in a player that can play a shift on the top lines since Iginla left. Johnny Hockey just grew another six inches. Shinkarek just took another step to earning a full time position. Small guys just got that much bigger because they know someone has their backs! Hopefully Ferland and Hathaway learn from Brouwer's example and that willingness to stand up for your fellow players become infectious.

???

He fights a few times a year and rarely against tougher players. I mean he will fight, but he's not a deterrent at all.

Although as posted in Lucic signing thread - deterrent doesn't really exist given Marc Savard had his career ended with Lucic on his wing and on the toughest team in the league.

[868904]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

He played with Robbi Fabbri (who arguably had a better rookie season than Bennett) and Paul Stastny (who has a Backlund-esque history of his wingers having career seasons - David Jones, Nathan McKinnon, etc).

Haha, see, I see that as Brouwer being a positive influence on Fabbri and you see it as Fabbri and Statsny having a positive influence on Brouwer.

Who did Bennett play with last year? He should have produced better than Fabbri. Maybe he would have if he had Brouwer.

Coaches like Joel Quenneville, Ken Hitchcock, and Bruce Boudreau have consistently played Brouwer with top 6 skilled players. Why is that?

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

Bennett needs more to work with than this - unless the objective is to get him cheap on the next contract.

I think Tkachuk spends the season in London, so Bennett should move up to the 2nd line.

[sureLoss]

Brouwer tells Ryan Leslie that he is friends with a few players on the Flames.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

Bennett needs more to work with than this - unless the objective is to get him cheap on the next contract.

Don't worry, I think people projecting Backlund as the 2nd line C again are wrong. Bennett will be the 2nd line C and Backlund will slide down to where he will and should be playing. That is not a knock on Backlund but he is an ideal 3rd line C and Bennett will take more big steps this year and will only benefit from the top 6 ice time.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

We clearly have another hole to fill because there's no way anyone should be penciling in Chiasson top six at this point. That's wishful thinking.

Here's the thing: today's NHL is a game of pairs, which means that even on the best teams there will always be support players playing up and down the lineup.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

Bennett needs more to work with than this - unless the objective is to get him cheap on the next contract.

Bennett needs to pass Backlund up the middle on the depth chart, and we the fans need to be patient while he progresses towards doing this.

[JurassicTunga12]

Brouwer on TSN

[zyzz]

Brouwer says "I know they are going after other guys as well"

Interesting. Wonder who.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Here's the thing: today's NHL is a game of pairs, which means that even on the best teams there will always be support players playing up and down the lineup.

Regardless, Chiasson has a lot to prove before he's penciled in playing 2nd line minutes.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by zyzz

Brouwer says "I know they are going after other guys as well"

Interesting. Wonder who.

Not just who are they going after, but also how do they make room

[sureLoss]

Ryan Leslie @ryanleslie73
Brouwer will wear #36 Johnson will wear #31. #Flames

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by zyzz

Brouwer says "I know they are going after other guys as well"

Interesting. Wonder who.

If so who are they trading out? Isn't the roster looking rather full at the moment?

[JurassicTunga12]

I think Brouwer meant Vancouver was going after other guys.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by zyzz

Brouwer says "I know they are going after other guys as well"

Interesting. Wonder who.

Current cap status?

[getbak]

Originally Posted by zyzz

Brouwer says "I know they are going after other guys as well"

Interesting. Wonder who.

That was with reference to if he considered going to Vancouver.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Incredibly articulate and well spoken.

[N-E-B]

Originally Posted by zyzz

Brouwer says "I know they are going after other guys as well"

Interesting. Wonder who.

He was talking about the Canucks. I'd be surprised if the Flames did anything else today.

[Blankcanvas]

Originally Posted by zyzz

Brouwer says "I know they are going after other guys as well"

Interesting. Wonder who.

I think we've done pretty well with what we've got already - anymore would be icing on the cake. Can't wait for the season to start.

[oldschoolcalgary]

sounds like Brouwer will be on the line with johnny and monahan...at least as a start...

if Tkachuk can stick, him and Bennet would be fun to see on a line.