Edmonton Oilers Sign Gilbert Brule
The Edmonton Oilers have announced that they have signed centre Gilbert Brule to a two-year contract worth $1.85 million per season. The signing avoids a scheduled arbitration hearing with the 23 year-old Edmonton native.
Gilbert Brule
Brule began his professional career with the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League (WHL). Brule impressed during his time with the Giants, recording 60 points in 67 games in his first season. In his second season, Brule broke-out, notching 39 goals and 48 assists for 87 points in just 70 games.
His outstanding play helped him get drafted 6th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2005 National Hockey League entry draft. Brule preformed well in camp and made the Blue Jackets, joining the team full-time at the beginning of the 2006-07 season. However, he struggled with the adjustment and only tallied 19 points in 78 games.
The following season, Brule split time between the Blue Jackets and their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate the Syracuse Crunch. He had trouble adapting in both leagues and was traded to the Oilers at the end of the season.
Brule struggled in his first year back home as he spent time with the Oilers AHL squad the Springfield Falcons, and only played in 11 games with the big club.
Last season, Brule joined the Oilers full-time, registering 17 goals and 20 assists for 37 points in 65 games, for the last place club.
Oilers' Perspective
With Brule, the Oilers continue to stock pile young players in the hope that they might be able to flourish if given more responsibility.
Similar to the signing of Rob Schremp, Edmonton has really taken a chance by giving Brule this contract. The 23 year-old centre is making more than many expected, and is now the team’s fifth highest paid forward, an impressive stat for the underachieving Edmonton native.
It is unclear what the Oilers plan to do with the small forward as they have a logjam of similar talent at the centre position. Shawn Horcoff, Andrew Cogliano, Sam Gagner and Colin Fraser are set to start the season as the teams centres, meaning Brule will be relegated to the wing. The Oilers have him listed on the second line, but that is expected to change as Jordan Eberle, Magnus Paajarvi-Svenssons and Taylor Hall are expected to make the club out of camp.
As a restricted free agent, the signing may have been completed strictly to cover their tails, as the Oilers sustained several line-up changing injuries last season.
Brule’s Perspective
Since his entrance into the league, Brule has been underwhelming. Expected to be one of the best players to come out of the impressive 2005 entry draft, Brule has been average to bad throughout his short career. He was once ranked as the second highest prospect during his impressive year with the Giants.
Conversely, Brule has not taken to the NHL game. Something the Blue Jackets grew tired of, trading him to the Oilers.
In Edmonton, Brule has gotten a second chance and the opportunity to become a regular player in the NHL. There is no doubt that on any other team Brule would not nearly see as much ice time, or perhaps even 65 games in the line-up. Edmonton’s struggles and commitment to youth has benefited Brule greatly.
Next season, Brule is going to have to begin earning his $1.85 million contract and start living up to his potential if he wants to stay in the NHL for another season. The Oilers have a number of young stars moving up the ranks in both the left-wing and centre positions, meaning Brule will be competing with them all year for every minute of ice time.
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