Eric Brewer traded to the Bolts

by John Fontana on Feb 18, 2011 4:49 PM EST in Lightning Team News

Twitter is alight this afternoon with the news Eric Brewer, Captain of the St. Louis Blues, has waived his no trade clause in order to accept a trade to the Tampa Bay Lightning. In exchange for Brewer, the Lightning would be reportedly giving up Brock Beukeboom (drafted in last summer's entry draft) while TSN's Bob McKenzie says that it'll be a 2nd round pick that's involved. No telling who is right.

Nick Kypreos is reporting it's a done deal: Defensive prospect Beukeboom and a 3rd round pick for defenseman Eric Brewer.

I'm looking at this as a depth move -- while I expected a lower tier defenseman to maybe be brought in, someone unheralded... I didn't expect someone of the stature of Brewer to be brought in.

BoltProspects.com had reported Brock Beukeboom had his second concussion of his OHL season almost two weeks ago, and the third for his career (if not more). In that health related aspect, Beukeboom has become expendable in the Bolts plans.

But Brewer is minus-107 for his career and is in the final year of his 4 year contract. He also becomes Tampa Bay's ninth defenseman. You have to think that someone on the blue line will be moved -- or a waiver/demotion attempt will take place iwth Matt Smaby.

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well this news is tasty!

RawCharge, @MEREDITHQ

by Meredith Qualls on Feb 18, 2011 4:51 PM EST reply actions

we have identical timing....

by TomK91 on Feb 18, 2011 4:53 PM EST reply actions

Tom, I’m hiding your post. I’d rather have the focus on teh front page. Also, we’re not allowed to simply copy text from major news sources like that even with breaking news). Fan Shots are for linking to news pieces like that.

Typing is an adventure, and reading should be, too!
Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Feb 18, 2011 5:07 PM EST up reply actions

Blues fan hera

We know Brewer as Capt Roboto or Brewbot from his dynamic interviews.

Some music to welcome him with

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ld—A1c0EjY

Also the Bender cracks are appropriate.

I gotta admit I was a Brewer hater the first couple years after the trade for Pronger that brought him to STL and he was injured for a long time. This year he’s on my good list and hate to see him go now.

Just a chew toy for the hockey gods

by spectr17 on Feb 18, 2011 5:17 PM EST reply actions

I like Neil Young

But that tune is weirder than “T-Bone”…

by tampa_edski on Feb 18, 2011 7:28 PM EST up reply actions

This player profile further illustrates the love/hate relationship with Brewer in St. Louis.

Typing is an adventure, and reading should be, too!
Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Feb 18, 2011 5:27 PM EST reply actions

Yep

As a Blues fan, I’m relieved—this marks the end (hopefully) of Brewer’s time in STL. On the other hand, I hope Bolt fans don’t expect much more from him than depth—I have a higher opinion of MAB and Jones than I do of Brewer.

by MTBoltFan on Feb 18, 2011 5:31 PM EST up reply actions

The contract worries me more than the +/-

But his career numbers are not awe inspiring.

by tampa_edski on Feb 18, 2011 5:51 PM EST reply actions

I’m worried about his foot speed more than anything else. Will he be able to keep up with everyone in Boucher’s system? Stay tuned….

The ways of Jedi Master Yzerman are not the ways of others.
Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community. Follow me on Twitter: @dagmar27.

by Cassie McClellan on Feb 18, 2011 5:54 PM EST up reply actions

This is the first full year I've been able to watch Brewer

and he’ll do fine in the footraces for ya. He’s even got a bit of a jump to hop into the rushes. Them long legs come in handy for something. Boy’s got the wingspan of a condor too.

Just a chew toy for the hockey gods

by spectr17 on Feb 18, 2011 6:53 PM EST up reply actions

My non-concern about +/-

is because he’s only been to the playoffs twice, so he’s not been on too many good teams.

Decent speed and a long reach will help. Just got to see – if the draft isn’t too deep and Bukeboom is having concussion issues, then it’s a relatively low cost attempt to shore up depth.

I hope it doesn’t mean Lundin is hurt worse than we think…

by tampa_edski on Feb 18, 2011 7:26 PM EST up reply actions

yeah, might be a special year for Roli and Brewer since they always had a knock of not being good since they had bad teams around them.

by KubKub on Feb 18, 2011 7:37 PM EST up reply actions

I would expect Jones to be the odd man out if Lundin is healthy

Lundin is higher on the depth chart and Smaby is much cheaper and still has a potential upside. However with MAB on board I wouldn’t be surprised to see 2 d-men dealt. Bergeron is a defensive liability evey time he steps on the ice so his future in TB is not set in stone either. Brewer can play the point on the PP and with better options to score and open up the ice in Tampa he could make MAB expendable.

Don in St Pete

by Don in St Pete on Feb 18, 2011 9:49 PM EST reply actions