Oilers Try and Put the "Rule" Back in Brule

On the eve of the 2005 NHL entry draft the talk of course centered around Sidney Crosby, but there was also a buzz about the kid out west who had been tagged as the WHL's version of Sid the kid.

Gilbert Brulewas turning heads in a way similar to Crosby, but had a mean streak to go along with brilliant skating and explosive offensive capabilities.

What a difference a year makes.

Well three exactly.

Since that draft that saw Brule picked 6th overall to the Columbus Blue Jackets, Crosby has scored 99 goals and added 195 assists good for 294 points in 213 NHL games, plus led his team to the Stanley Cup this past spring.

Brule, well maybe he has underachieved just a bit, with12 goals and 20 assists in 146 NHL appearances to go along with an injury list that rivals a young Eric Lindros.

So why would the Edmonton Oilers take a chance on this 21 year old with possible Alexandre Daigle syndrome?

Well for one he is still 21, and despite the fact Columbus may have jumped the gun on his playing career and rushed him along too soon, he still has all the tools to blossom in the NHL. He is also a native of Edmonton and grew up watching the Oilers, so he may have some pride sporting the uniform, something that has long been gone since Ryan Smyth was sent packing.

The Jackets had sent Brule down to their minor league affiliate Syracuse at the end of the season to try and regain his confidence and get back to the form that saw him tear up the junior leagues.

In 16 games with the Syracuse Crunch Brule tallied 10 points, then added 5 in 13 playoff games, hardly head turning numbers, but maybe a stepping stone that could carry over to a fast moving Edmonton Oilers squad.

Do I like this move?

Well only time will tell, but Edmonton seems to be establishing a pretty good young team that has a nice mix of veteran players as well.

This won't be Columbus kid, this team will compete for the playoffs next season after missing out by just 3 points this year, and you may just find yourself centering one of the top two lines.

Not to get Oiler fans salivating from their mouths too early, but can you imagine Brule in between Ales Hemsky and Eric Cole, it may have the likings to a Naslund, Morrison and Bertuzzi mix that ripped it up in Vancouver for three years.

Like I said this move will have to play itself out, but for Oilers fans and young Gilbert Brule I hope it works out well, and if my gut is right I think it just may...but it could be the early Canada Day celebration I'm feelin' too?