Gilbert Brule trying to resurrect his NHL career. UPD: will attend Phoenix camp

[Blaster86]

Pass on him if it were my team. I question how serious he's taking his "push to get back in shape".

[BurningSteel]

hey if the guy is good enough for Bono to hitch hike with, he's good enough for me.

[Jordan!]

I really like Brule here in Arizona, I wondered why we let him go...

[PlayfulGenius]

For a tryout?? That's an absolute no brainer...sign him up. I don't see a downside.

With the lack of depth on RW, and lack of quality at C, CGY should be an ideal spot for him to have a good shot via tryout as well.

[red sky]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

Pass on him if it were my team. I question how serious he's taking his "push to get back in shape".

Why?

[neo45]

Thought he was awful in Edmonton, but was really impressed when I watched him with Phoenix (I think he was playing wing). Surprised me with his two way game in the playoffs, but I'm not sure how much of that can be attributed to Tippet.

Definitely would like us to give him an invite, and I imagine Calgary would be a place he would like to target due to him being a WHL guy and because of how wide open our roster is. Also the Swiss League connection may play a small part (Hartley coached the team he played on this year)

[Travis Munroe]

This thread has turned into people talking about 2 totally different things.

The Yes I like him group (myself included) are talking about a tryout

The No he is a bust or isnt serious, etc group is talking about signing him

Those saying no, what is the reasoning behind not giving him a tryout...
bust = packs bags
earns a spot = we get better

Keep in mind he is still very young so its not like we are taking away a development spot for a 40 year old.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

This thread has turned into people talking about 2 totally different things.

The Yes I like him group (myself included) are talking about a tryout

The No he is a bust or isnt serious, etc group is talking about signing him

Those saying no, what is the reasoning behind not giving him a tryout...
bust = packs bags
earns a spot = we get better

Keep in mind he is still very young so its not like we are taking away a development spot for a 40 year old.

One thing for me is what kind of message are you sending to our young players? There are lots of UFAs available that could fill a spot on our team but it's time to cut bait and give our own a chance. I think one of the reasons that there was so much enthusiasm at our rookie camp was because the players know there are spots open. Lets keep that enthusiasm going by keeping these spots open.

I don't look at Brule as a player with a lot of upside anymore, so why give him a tryout at the expense of someone with upside. He could probably fit in somewhere as a stopgap though.

Why give him a tryout unless you are serious about signing him?

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

One thing for me is what kind of message are you sending to our young players? There are lots of UFAs available that could fill a spot on our team but it's time to cut bait and give our own a chance. I think one of the reasons that there was so much enthusiasm at our rookie camp was because the players know there are spots open. Lets keep that enthusiasm going by keeping these spots open.

I don't look at Brule as a player with a lot of upside anymore, so why give him a tryout at the expense of someone with upside. He could probably fit in somewhere as a stopgap though.

But we're talking about a tryout. If Brule comes in on a tryout and beats out the prospects, wouldn't the message be that a roster spot is earned? IMO, that's a pretty positive message to send. It's not like there are a limited amount of tryout spots to be handed out, and that by giving Brule one, you cut one of the other prospects.

[undercoverbrother]

What the hell is the "private photos" all about?

Seems very odd. I bet his dad was a real joy to have in the dressingroom after games when Gilbert was young.

Sad, I hope he succeeds.

[Galakanokis]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

Pass on him if it were my team. I question how serious he's taking his "push to get back in shape".

Actually, I think he would be a really good fit for your team. You are woefully thin at centre and right handed shoots. He could easily slot into the 3rd line spot at C and move up when the inevitable Kesler injury happens. Gaunce might be ready but not from what I have seen. Cheap insurance policy at least.

Wouldn't hurt on a tryout as he would be better than any of your current prospects.

[Erick Estrada]

What a scumbag of a father. To deal with that at the same time having to deal with working for the worst organization in the NHL would be tough for any man.

[Canada 02]

I wonder if Ranger fans were excited to pick off waivers former 1st rounder Rico Fata, or the Sharks when they got Matt Pelech.

Two years ago it was Zach Boychuk. Last year it was Zach Hamil. Apparently, Brule is the latest bust to catch one's fancy.

[trublmaker]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

Pass on him if it were my team. I question how serious he's taking his "push to get back in shape".

So wouldn't his "push to get back in shape" show with a tryout? If he's not in shape then you don't sign him. There is absolutely no reason not to give any player a tryout.

[Pliddy]

At this point in the rebuild I would only look at high risk-high reward signings, Brule falls into this category , mayby he finds his junior career and scores 30 goals, or he blows up in training camp and is shown the door. At this point the only bad signing is a post apex veteran that takes ice time from our propects, and pushes the team up to 9th or 10th in the west

[you got PHANUEFED]

Doesn't hurt to give the guy a try out and see what he can do with his new out look on life.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Looks like the Oilers put the welfare of their own team above the welfare of a young man.

Damning insinuation, if true.

Or maybe the Oilers thought the drugs (as many people would) were the best thing for his condition.

Nice that he implies that the Oilers wanted him on the ice so they pressured him to take the drugs, but that doesn't mean it's true. I could easily see a situation where the Oilers thought the drugs were his best option and continuing to focus on positive things like hockey might be best for him as a person.

I will say, it's impossible to tell from an article, but he seems to have a victim complex going on. Not sure I like where his mind seems to be at. Clearly he was victimized by his father, but even the little hint that the Oilers forced him to take meds he didn't want to just doesn't sit right with me.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

Nice that he implies that the Oilers wanted him on the ice so they pressured him to take the drugs, but that doesn't mean it's true. I could easily see a situation where the Oilers thought the drugs were his best option and continuing to focus on positive things like hockey might be best for him as a person.

Which is why, in the post you quoted, I said if true.

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

What the hell is the "private photos" all about?

It could be as tame as him taking a picture of "the tuck" or it could be as scandalous as kissing baloney. Either way, he didn't want the pictures surfacing.

[Blaster86]

Not to say he isn't going to try, but I question his commitment.

Guy lives in Vancouver, so obviously the Canucks will look. I don't have any internal Canucks info but I would be shocked if we gave him a try-out.