Blue Jackets Assign Gilbert Brule to Syracuse

[VodkaFish]

COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Columbus Blue Jackets have assigned center Gilbert Brule to the Syracuse Crunch, Columbus’ American Hockey League affiliate, club General Manager Scott Howson announced today.

Brule, 21, has appeared in 31 games with the Blue Jackets this season, tallying one goal and three assists for four point with 10 penalty minutes and a +1 plus/minus rating. Columbus’ first pick, sixth overall, in the 2005 Entry Draft, he has registered 12-15-27 and 38 penalty minutes in 116 career NHL games.

[Habs Fan 1987]

Brule has sucked so far in the NHL. He was rushed up too early. I remember hearing about how tough and gritty he was in juniors, but he hasn't even been in a fight yet.

[BROKEN*ORBITAL]

Heard a rumour somewhere recently suggesting that the Rangers were interested.

[peacemaker]

Originally Posted by Habs Fan 1987

Brule has sucked so far in the NHL. He was rushed up too early. I remember hearing about how tough and gritty he was in juniors, but he hasn't even been in a fight yet.

Wrong type of tough and gritty...

He was a small superstar in the WHL. Teams tried to rough him up and he never took a step back. As a matter of fact he would hit back just as hard.
But a fighter he is not. He may drop the gloves against other guys like him, but is not to be confused with a fighter by any means.

I would love to see him in a Canuck uniform. We have a highly touted American goalie, Cory Schneider, who we'd flip in a heart beat. I would not be surprised to see a deal with these 2 guys happen (it may take another player/pick as well leaving Vancouver).
I think a return to Vancouver, would help his confidence immensely.

The 'Nucks need to replace Morrison, and this could be a great fit.

[The Wolf]

So they kick Brule out whos been on the team for a while, and keep Andrew Murray who doesn't even have a fight card. I'm not so sure Murray is a better player than Brule.

And they kicked Tollefsen out too, strange he's not assigned to Syracuse yet, must be his one way contract. Maybe they'll trade him instead, any team out there looking for a tough defenseman?

[R.Middleton]

So far a bust.

[Habs Fan 1987]

Originally Posted by peacemaker

Wrong type of tough and gritty...

He was a small superstar in the WHL. Teams tried to rough him up and he never took a step back. As a matter of fact he would hit back just as hard.
But a fighter he is not. He may drop the gloves against other guys like him, but is not to be confused with a fighter by any means.

I would love to see him in a Canuck uniform. We have a highly touted American goalie, Cory Schneider, who we'd flip in a heart beat. I would not be surprised to see a deal with these 2 guys happen (it may take another player/pick as well leaving Vancouver).
I think a return to Vancouver, would help his confidence immensely.

The 'Nucks need to replace Morrison, and this could be a great fit.

I never expected him to have four or five fights a year, but when I watch him, he doesn't even seem to be gritty. I expected him be something like Mike Comrie in terms of his disposition.

[Snipes19]

Originally Posted by Habs Fan 1987

Brule has sucked so far in the NHL. He was rushed up too early. I remember hearing about how tough and gritty he was in juniors, but he hasn't even been in a fight yet.

You don't have to get in fights to be labeled as "gritty"...

Originally Posted by The Wolf

So they kick Brule out whos been on the team for a while, and keep Andrew Murray who doesn't even have a fight card. I'm not so sure Murray is a better player than Brule.

So Murray HAS to have a fight card to be on the team?

That's pretty stupid, Wolf. They aren't bringing Murray up to fight - he's kind of a skill player.

And you will only rate Murray better as Brule if he has a fight card? Wow. Just wow.

I don't think this is a bad move by Columbus. Brule is supposed to be good, but he hasn't done anything in this league... so, it won't hurt to see what another kid can do.

[The Wolf]

Murray lacks toughness in my book, but it looks like thats the kind of player the Columbus management prefer..

Wes, since you know so much about players, what's gonna happen to Tollefsen then? I hope they trade him, liked to see him on Anaheim, Boston or Calgary, I'm sure they'll be more than happy to take him. Or maybe Columbus don't wanna lose him...nobody knows what's going on, not even himself.

[canuckfan]

I don't think Brule is doing very well under Hitchcock - he should have made some progression by now in his NHL career, but something doesn't seem right here. I think he needs out of Columbus, he's not doing anything with them.

I'd also love to see him in a Canucks uniform - but would the Jackets bite for a player like Schneider, when LeClaire is doing so well? Could be a tough sell....

[GIANTSFAN]

Brule said before the draft that he didn't want to play in Vancouver. I don't know how excited he is playing for a loser like the Blue Jackets. Doug McLean should have sent Brule back to the Giants last season, but he was too stubborn & was convinced Brule was going to save McLean's ass from getting canned. It was mentioned several times last season that he was coming back to the Giants but McLean kept changing his mind.

[HordiBrusk29]

Originally Posted by canuckfan

I don't think Brule is doing very well under Hitchcock - he should have made some progression by now in his NHL career, but something doesn't seem right here. I think he needs out of Columbus, he's not doing anything with them.

Agreed. Although Brule previously played for Don Hay. And Hay and Hitchcock go back a long time. They both have a somewhat similar style of coaching. So logically thinking you'd expect Brule to fit in just fine with Hitchcock. But obviously that isn't the case. Unfortunately Brule was rushed into the NHL and it's caught up to him. Hopefully he can gain a little confidence and get some much needed ice time in the AHL. He's too talented of a player to not be a solid NHL'er one day.

[NJDevils17]

Going back to the AHL will definitely help him develop better. I won't be surprised if he doesn't get called back up for the rest of this season.

[FrontLineAdmirals]

I'm not sure I'd be too motivated to play for a team like the blow jackets, even getting paid good money. The good thing for them, however, is that they have a fairly decent coaching staff.

[J_Shelley45]

Brule shoulda never stayed up in the first place. He would have been better served going to Syracuse last year. Yet another career derailed by Mac rushing guys into the nhl. Brule was never ready for it. Hopefully some time in the A ill get him some confidence. Rumours have it that Rangers might swap Prucha but I cant see giving away a first round pick even if he needs more time. PLus, it hurts a guys trade value to send him down and then try to trade him.