Free agent Troy Brouwer has thought about signing with his hometown team.
The pending unrestricted free agent told News 1130 Sports that he’s thought about signing with the Vancouver Canucks, which is where the 30-year-old was born.
“I have thought about it, for sure. Family and friends, playing for my hometown, it would be an experience for sure,” Brouwer told News 1130 Sports. “My dad was a huge Canucks fan, Mark Messier was a big influence in my hockey career, I watched him a lot in Vancouver,” the pending UFA said.
Brouwer should be a desirable free agent as he’s been a model of consistency throughout his NHL career. He has scored at least 17 goals in seven straight seasons, topping over 30 points in the same timespan. The right winger had a marvelous playoff run with the Blues scoring eight goals and 13 points in 20 games. For any team looking for a gritty, middle-six winger, Brouwer is certainly a good potential option.
Would the Canucks be a fit? Sure. They seem to be going after veterans at the expense of a youth movement. Brouwer would certainly fit on Vancouver’s second or third line. Brouwer’s coming off a three-year, $11 million deal and he’s probably looking for similar term as it’s likely his last chance to earn a lengthy contract. That would be an expensive cost for a winger who’s past 30, but plenty of teams should be interested.
Brouwer himself admitted he’d like to return to the Blues, but they’ve got numerous free agents coming off the roster, so it should be interesting to see if they make room for Brouwer / want him back at all.
Troy Brouwer said he loved playing for #stlblues and would love to return. But doesn't know what other signings/cap issues will be.
— Lou Korac (@lkorac10) May 26, 2016
Brouwer has value, but screams buyer-beware considering his age and relatively modest, yet solid production. The Canucks seem like the perfect organization to overpay him.
[TheScore]
