Gilbert Brule trying to resurrect his NHL career. UPD: will attend Phoenix camp - Page 2 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Husky · 07-17-2013, 07:56 AM

Id give him a shot. Right now its all mental. Try him in our top 9 RW spots.

Ruttiger · 07-17-2013, 08:38 AM

Some less than flattering comments regarding how the Oilers treated and viewed their players during that period, backing up what Souray had to say. A dark time for the organization to be sure.

For all his struggles on the ice to live up to his draft position, nobody has ever had anything bad to say about him as a person - hoping he gets the opportunity for a fresh start somewhere.

Enoch Root · 07-17-2013, 08:50 AM

26 year old C/RW who is looking for another shot... could there be a better place for it than Calgary?

And anytime we can resurrect an Oiler failure/mismanagement <cough*glencross*cough> it's a bonus.

MrMastodonFarm · 07-17-2013, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruttiger

Some less than flattering comments regarding how the Oilers treated and viewed their players during that period, backing up what Souray had to say. A dark time for the organization to be sure..

What suggests anything has changed?

The Yen Man · 07-17-2013, 09:02 AM

I always felt bad for the guy. I remember Hamrlik cracking his sternum with a devastating hit in one of his first games with Columbus.

vanisleflamesfan · 07-17-2013, 09:07 AM

Nice to hear that he is getting things back on track with his mental health.

I would like to see the Flames offer him a tryout. At 26, if he can play some NHL minutes, he could be a nice player to have in the lineup day-to-day for the next few rebuilding years.

FlamesAddiction · 07-17-2013, 09:11 AM

I agree, why not...

It would be low-risk for us at this point.

I can't help but be curious about the photos his dad was blackmailing him with though.

Vulcan · 07-17-2013, 09:39 AM

We have six young centres vying for one or two spots on the big team. If we are going to give them a shot and get on the youth movement, why would we give a vet the job.

All the best to Brule but he should find a fit somewhere else.

Enoch Root · 07-17-2013, 09:41 AM

RW (or C if other options aren't working).

If he plays well, he is another deadline trade candidate

SuperMatt18 · 07-17-2013, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vulcan

We have six young centres vying for one or two spots on the big team. If we are going to give them a shot and get on the youth movement, why would we give a vet the job.

All the best to Brule but he should find a fit somewhere else.

Thought he played more RW in the NHL.

As a center I'm not really interested but we can use RW depth in the organization.

FlamesAddiction · 07-17-2013, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Thought he played more RW in the NHL.

As a center I'm not really interested but we can use RW depth in the organization.

That was my impression as well. One of those players drafted as a centre, but eventually moved to the wing.

Travis Munroe · 07-17-2013, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vulcan

We have six young centres vying for one or two spots on the big team. If we are going to give them a shot and get on the youth movement, why would we give a vet the job.

All the best to Brule but he should find a fit somewhere else.

Because a good chunk of those six are better off going back to junior/ahl for another year.
Bringing him in for a tryout is only going to make everyone compete that much more. If its like riding a bike and he gains most of his form back through tryouts there is no question he would be more deserving talent wise than most of the kids anyway!
Low risk high reward situation. We all want the home run with the kids playing this year and making the playoffs however we are better letting them develop, build confidence and all roll in at the same time!

GreenLantern2814 · 07-17-2013, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canada 02

hope his life is in order, but he can resurrect his career somewhere else

This is the exact sort of career resurrection I can get
On board with. Brulé was once considered one of the next best picks after Crosby. He has the tools and if he's dealt with his emotional issues, this is a prime buy low situation.

He has top six talent. Let's bring him back from the dead instead of Begin

Vulcan · 07-17-2013, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

Because a good chunk of those six are better off going back to junior for another year.
Bringing him in for a tryout is only going to make everyone compete that much more. If its like riding a bike and he gains most of his form back through tryouts there is no question he would be more deserving talent wise than most of the kids anyway!
Low risk high reward situation. We all want the home run with the kids playing this year and making the playoffs however we are better letting them develop, build confidence and all roll in at the same time!

The only junior at centre is Monahan. The others are Knight, Horak, Reinhart, Street and Granlund who have all turned pro.

I guess he's mostly a RW now anyways but I don't see a spot for him there either unless we get rid of a vet winger or two. I just want to see one or two or three rookies make this team.

Travis Munroe · 07-17-2013, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vulcan

The only junior at centre is Monahan. The others are Knight, Horak, Reinhart, Street and Granlund who have all turned pro.

I guess he's mostly a RW now anyways but I don't see a spot for him there either unless we get rid of a vet winger or two. I just want to see one or two or three rookies make this team.

From what I gather in the development camp thread, Reinhart, Street and Granlund would be better off spending one more year on the farm.
Brule has more potential than any of those players you mentioned (excluding Monahan) so even if it was taking the spot of a player...brule is still young and there is zero harm in having him tryout.

Ozy_Flame · 07-17-2013, 10:08 AM

Absolutely no harm in having Brule as a try-out. If he still has untapped potential and his off-ice issues are dealt with, this could be a gem. He wasn't ranked so highly for nothing. I'm sure if he played well you could snag him for league-minimum.

saillias · 07-17-2013, 10:22 AM

Guy was a bust. Dropped in the draft, rushed to the NHL, knocked out early with injuries. He has more "potential" than most of our prospects like Rico Fata has more "potential" than most of our prospects.

GreenLantern2814 · 07-17-2013, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saillias

Guy was a bust. Dropped in the draft, rushed to the NHL, knocked out early with injuries. He has more "potential" than most of our prospects like Rico Fata has more "potential" than most of our prospects.

He was the 6th overall pick, it's not like he went full Shinkaruk. Read the article in the OP; he was battling depression, had a toxic relationship with his dad who was stealing money from him, and to top it off the Oilers were screwing with his medication and his healing process.

I don't necessarily think they need to give him a look, but jesus christ man.

saillias · 07-17-2013, 10:37 AM

He wasn't a good player in the NHL. I'm only commenting in response to people talking about his potential, purely hockey argument. No point trying to qualify how overcoming personal demons will affect his ability to play the game. I just know how he left the game, a mid 20s 4th line tweener... We don't need more.

GreenLantern2814 · 07-17-2013, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vulcan

The only junior at centre is Monahan. The others are Knight, Horak, Reinhart, Street and Granlund who have all turned pro.

I guess he's mostly a RW now anyways but I don't see a spot for him there either unless we get rid of a vet winger or two. I just want to see one or two or three rookies make this team.

So get rid of a vet winger. Stempniak and Cammalleri will not be here past the deadline. Two top six wing spots need to be filled in the interim.

Monahan should get his nine games and go back to the OHL. I know he's probably close to ready, but we can be patient with him. Let him have the experience of the WJHC and being a leader in that situation. The franchise will still need saving in a year when he's a little bigger and a little stronger.

I'd be more inclined to see Granlund get a shot with the big club simply because there's more urgency to see what he can do at this level. We can be patient with Monahan.

Backlund Stajan Knight Granlund Jones Horak Reinhart. Still not the greatest collection of Centers assembled. But guys who've played the position before. You add Brule to that mix and it's just one more player to take some pressure of your young prospects.