[News] UPD: Flames officially buyout Troy Brouwer

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by delayedreflex

I know only the players with letters can go talk to the ref regarding penalties, etc. - but does that actually ever accomplish anything? I'm curious if it ever influences a ref's decision.

It could certainly influence his next one.

I would be surprised if James Neal isn't given an A.

Worn one on every team he's been with has he not? By all accounts a vocal leader on and off the ice. Has that G.A.S. factor the team clearly wants and is trying to inject into the locker room.

[The Boy Wonder]

Originally Posted by delayedreflex

I know only the players with letters can go talk to the ref regarding penalties, etc. - but does that actually ever accomplish anything? I'm curious if it ever influences a ref's decision.

less about influencing decisions at that moment but more about setting the tone for future calls.

[Angelino]

Happy to hear Brouwer will be out of the organization soon!

[868904]

Originally Posted by T-Dog

So with Brouwer gone, who’s the odds-on favourite for the new whipping boy this season? There has to be one every year, no?

It’ll be Hathaway, the anti-truculent crowd is already sharpening their knives.

[Karl]

nm.

[keenan87]

Originally Posted by 868904

It’ll be Hathaway, the anti-truculent crowd is already sharpening their knives.

I don't think he will have enough of an impact on the roster to be it. Definitely Bennett or Frolik. Wouldn't count out Brodie either if he doesn't return to his usual self.

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Again, I will reiterate my objection: why do any of us as fans care about which of the players serve as Alternates? We don't actually know why some are selected where others are not, and as far as I can tell this makes virtually no difference to a team's fortunes. I believe the Flames will be a better team with another player playing in Brouwer's spot in the lineup, but do I believe they will be better because he will no longer have an "A" stitched to his jersey? Certainly not.

Well clearly NHL teams view assistant captains as guys who will help lead on and off the ice or they wouldn’t give them out. Having a guy wear the A who was providing nothing except some OK Penatly killing and nothing no else is not a good look and it’s why he’s gone. Especially when there are guys on the team that bring it every game

[The Boy Wonder]

Originally Posted by keenan87

I don't think he will have enough of an impact on the roster to be it. Definitely Bennett or Frolik. Wouldn't count out Brodie either if he doesn't return to his usual self.

COuld also see it being lindholm or Ryan depending on how Peters decides to use them. If derek Ryan is getting second line minutes ahead of guys like bennett, lindholm, etc. and not producing then I think he is the prime candidate for our anger

[Flamefan1]

Michael Stone still has value to the Flames and has some value in a trade. It would make no scense to buy out his contract. Stone can step into a top 4 spot if one of our big 4 are injured.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Beninho

Well clearly NHL teams view assistant captains as guys who will help lead on and off the ice or they wouldn’t give them out. Having a guy wear the A who was providing nothing except some OK Penatly killing and nothing no else is not a good look and it’s why he’s gone. Especially when there are guys on the team that bring it every game

So, am I correct in assuming that you believe a team with Troy Brouwer in the lineup on a regular basis is better with him not wearing an "A" than if he is serving as an Alternate?

Like I said, I expect this decision makes little difference to how a team performs. Had Brouwer remained with the Flames they would have been no worse off if he was wearing an "A" than if he were not.

Originally Posted by The Boy Wonder

less about influencing decisions at that moment but more about setting the tone for future calls.

If this is the case, then I expect that having Troy Brouwer wearing a letter is probably a more constructive use of his place on a roster than practically anything else he does.

[Stay Golden]

Hey Troy your request to keep the A has been rejected. Backlund here you go it's all yours!

[djsFlames]

Still getting paid and well. So no hard feelings but he had to justify that 4.5 cap hit somehow and he couldn't get it done.

It's Czarnik and Foo's time to shine with a little less competition on that right side.

Looking forward to Hanifin on 6+ year deal.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Flamefan1

Michael Stone still has value to the Flames and has some value in a trade. It would make no scense to buy out his contract. Stone can step into a top 4 spot if one of our big 4 are injured.

Agreed. He didn't get near the same opportunity last season but when he first came over he did very well slotting in on the top 4. His shot was hardly utilized by GG either. He looked good on the PP when given the chance.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Flamefan1

Michael Stone still has value to the Flames and has some value in a trade. It would make no scense to buy out his contract. Stone can step into a top 4 spot if one of our big 4 are injured.

People tend to forget that injuries are going to happen. We’ve been a lucky squad for the past couple of seasons in terms of bot having injuries often.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Wow, I hoped this would happen, but I sure didn't expect it. No offense to Brouwer, but it was a bad fit with a player who was either declining or didn't care anymore. Take your pick. As others said, this should pave the way for a long-term Hanifin deal, and some cap relief, so along with not having Brouwer on the team anymore, this is the rare win-win-win move.

I'm impressed by Treliving's intestinal fortitude. Saw problems with this team and did just about everything a GM could do in a single off-season in the modern cap world to remake the roster and produce a better product on the ice. This move caps off an off-season that should make just about anyone who has been following this team happy. The only thing didn't didn't get a makeover was the goaltending, and that's probably because we have 3 relatively strong goalie prospects still working their way into the NHL.

Seriously, let's look at last year's roster compared to this year's projected roster.

2017/18
Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland
Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik
Bennett-Jankowski-Jagr/Hathaway
Versteeg/Lazar-Stajan-Brouwer
Glass

Giordano-Hamilton
Brodie-Hamonic
Kulak-Stone
Bartkowski

Smith
Lack/Rittich
Gillies

2018/19
Gaudreau-Monahan-Neal
Tkachuk-Backlund-Lindholm
Bennett-Ryan-Frolik
Lazar-Jankowski-Czarnik
Foo/Mangiapane/Klimchuk etc.

Giordano-Brodie
Hanifin-Hamonic
Kulak-Stone
?

Smith
Rittich/Gillies




That's a major shift in just a few calendar months. Kudos to Brad to making all the necessary moves to give this team a chance to compete.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

People tend to forget that injuries are going to happen. We’ve been a lucky squad for the past couple of seasons in terms of bot having injuries often.

Aside from, you know, last season.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

It's safe to say the Flames don't really have a 'bad' contract on the roster now?

Sure, technically. But you can't say they don't have a bad contract on the payroll, which is far more important thing to look at.

[SeanCharles]

Yea we actually could use some more organizational depth on defense in truth

Gio-Brodie
Hanifin-Hamonic
Stone-Andersson
Kulak-Prout
Kylington-Valimaki
Hogstrom-Healey

[Angelino]

Hopefully Smith can go a full season without a major injury. Need one of the backups to breakout as well. Still worried about the goaltending position on this team.

[blender]

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

Yea we actually could use some more organizational depth on defense in truth

Gio-Brodie
Hanifin-Hamonic
Stone-Andersson
Kulak-Prout
Kylington-Valimaki
Hogstrom-Healey

Agreed. A lot will hinge on the Gio-Brodie pair performing. If they are not as good as Gio-Hamilton it will put a lot of pressure on the 2nd pair which features a very young and unproven player in Hanafin.

Personally I'm optimistic, but there are questions on D for sure.