Calgary Flames sign UFA Troy Brouwer: 4 years, $4.5 AAV

Sergei Belski/USA TODAY Sports

The Flames have jumped into the free agent frenzy, signing Troy Brouwer to a four-year deal worth $18 million.

Brouwer will be 31 years old to start next season, so he’ll be 35 by the time his deal ends. He’s a 6’3, 213 lb. right winger, filling the Flames’ need for both size and, well, right wingers. He’s been healthy throughout his career, having played full 82 game seasons five of the last six seasons; his career low is 69. Last season, he scored 18 goals and 39 points.

But that $4.5 million cap hit… how does that fit in?

As of now, Brouwer is the Flames’ highest-paid forward.

Look, there’s no doubt Brouwer fills a crucial role on the Flames. With his signing, he joins Matt Stajan as the lone Flames forwards 30 years old or older. He fills a veteran role; he’s been on deep playoff runs. He’s big and he plays a position the Flames need to fill and is a legitimate top six winger (uh, we hope).

For now. July 1 can make people go a little crazy – and that’s a fair amount of term and a sizeable cap hit for a winger who will, in all likelihood, be on the decline throughout his contract.

To put it into context, Brouwer has only broken the 40 point barrier three out of eight times in his career.

Via Corsica, here’s how Brouwer was used in St. Louis this past season:

Brouwer’s 49.56% 5v5 CF was the third worst out of all regulars on the Blues, ahead of just Ryan Reaves and Scott Gomez. He was one of just five Blues regulars to be a negative possession player, below 50%. However, Brouwer’s zone starts should be considered: his 26.71% OZS were the sixth worst on the Blues, so it’s possible he could rebound if placed in more prime position to score – say, alongside Sean Monahan or Sam Bennett.

Brouwer is building an off-season home in Calgary – er, regular home, now – and reportedly wants to retire here, so at least you know this is another player who legitimately wants to be here that the Flames have added.