from Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun,

While his rivals to the north and west were busy inking pricey, top-line wingers Milan Lucic and Loui Eriksson, the cap-tight Flames honed in on what the club is missing most: Size, grittiness, experience and leadership.

The kid -- yes, 30 is still a kid in the real world -- can play, too.

Add to the threat of scoring 20 goals almost every year a 98-game playoff resume that includes a Stanley Cup win with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010. He also had a brilliant run in St. Louis this spring that saw him eliminate the Hawks with the series-winning goal en route to the West Conference final. Scoring eights goals and adding five assists in 20 outings, he was a major force every night alongside uber-talented rookie Robby Fabbri and veteran Paul Stastny. It wasn't the team's top line, but they were a driving force in the run.

While no one is suggesting the right-winger is the likely recipient of the top-line gig in Calgary formerly held by Jiri Hudler, it bodes well Brouwer helped two studs in key roles.

He can run with the big boys, which he may be called upon to from time to time, be it five-on-five or on the power play, in which he has long been effective.

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