tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6677867857097423502.post8007981608387019614..comments2023-10-20T04:45:00.350-06:00Comments on Coming Down the Pipe!: The Roster Battle: The New GuyGuy Flaminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03178739486819659419noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6677867857097423502.post-31364317042413283592008-08-07T10:47:00.000-06:002008-08-07T10:47:00.000-06:00I always thought the trade was more about moving T...I always thought the trade was more about moving Torres than who they acquired. With the salary Raffi was about to start to get from the Oilers the chances of him earning it or outperforming it were extremely slim. Add in the constant 'lifestyle' rumours and all the talk about how this new group of kids have their heads on straight etc. and it just seemed like they didn't want Torres mixing with them either. Just my impression. So they traded a 5th overall disappointment who is now 26? for a 6th overall disappointment who is 21? to clear cap space, reshuffle the dressing room, and take a flyer on maybe upgrading the position for next year or later this year and if Brule doesn't work out the Oilers still think they did the right thing by getting rid of Raffi's contract. <BR/><BR/>I say he starts in the minors and the Oilers tell him to like it.fakedarylkatzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05183513278199419647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6677867857097423502.post-4587346676305039812008-08-07T08:33:00.000-06:002008-08-07T08:33:00.000-06:00They'd be taking advantage of the small window of ...<I>They'd be taking advantage of the small window of opportunity before waivers kick in plus they'd be giving him a major role with the Falcons and a lot of opportunity to succeed in the process thus hopefully getting his offence and his confidence back. BUT... I don't get the impression that Brule would take to that idea very well at all; after nearly 150 games in the NHL to be sent down now? It might be too bitter a pill to swallow.<BR/><BR/>Therefore I wonder if Edmonton keeps him around simply to avoid the possible headache reassinging him could create.</I><BR/><BR/>If Brule's career is going to be revived, it's going to be revived by him doing things the way the organization sees fit. They're good at developing players, and if Brule doesn't buy in, it won't matter what they do- he's not going to recover.<BR/><BR/>I think they send him to the minors; I also think that if he gives them any guff about it they point to his NHL career so far and make it clear that it's in his best interests.Jonathan Willishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13939434026697781276noreply@blogger.com