Gilbert Brule was signed by PHO on Friday January 18.

Gilbert Brule has been released by the ZSC Lions of the Swiss League. Brule had a rough stint in Switzerland, after failing to score a goal in 14 games for Zurich. The 2005 sixth overall pick has had a disappointing NHL career with just 95 points in 233 games. He split last year in the AHL and NHL, but did not receive a qualifying offer from Phoenix in July. He's now an unrestricted free agent.

Gilbert Brule has signed a one-year contract with the ZSC Lions of the Swiss League, according to the Lions' website. Brule split last year in the AHL and NHL, recording 14 points with the Coyotes in 33 games and 18 with the Oklahama City Barons. The forward was 2005 first-round pick (sixth overall) of the Blue Jackets who has certainly disappointed with 43 career goals and 52 career assists in 233 games.

Gilbert Brule did not receive a qualifying offer from Phoenix, so he will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He recorded five goals and 19 points in 33 regular-season games with the Coyotes last season and had another three points in 12 playoff contests.

The Phoenix Coyotes will probably not retain the services of Gilbert Brule. Brule is scheduled to become a restricted free agent, but the Coyotes would need to make him a $1.85 million qualifying offer to retain his rights. "In order to retrain his rights, we have to qualify him at the number he made this past year, which is not something we'd do," Coyotes GM Don Maloney said. That means Brule will probably become an unrestricted free agent, although it's still possible that he'll agree to take a pay cut to stay with Phoenix.

Gilbert Brule is scheduled to be a restricted free agent on July 1. He will join Chris Summers and Kyle Chipchura as RFAs. Brule was the sixth overall pick in the 2005 Entry Draft by the Blue Jackets and while he has kicked around a bit as he was also a member of the Edmonton Oilers, he still has some offensive upside. Look for the Coyotes to re-sign the forward in the off-season.

The Phoenix Coyotes' fourth line has been a key to them jumping out to a 2-0 second-round series lead against the Nashville Predators. The fourth line of Gilbert Brule, Kyle Chipchura and Daymond Langkow have combined for nine points in the Yotes' eight playoff games. Brule has two markers, Chipchura one and Langkow four assists. If you're getting that kind of production from your bottom line, you should be tough to beat. "Those guys are really solid players for us," coach Dave Tippett said. "If you look at it, we don't really have matchups. Everybody plays against everybody and everybody's expected to do the job and those guys have done a heck of a job for us. Not just giving us quality minutes; they're creating chances.

Gilbert Brule had a goal and an assist in the Coyotes' 4-0 and series-clinching win over the Blackhawks. Brule made the most of his 7:14 of playing time in Game 6. His goal came at 2:24 of the third period to give Phoenix a little breathing room at 2-0. Brule also assisted on Kyle Chipchura's third-period goal that made it 4-0 and was a plus-2.

Gilbert Brule netted the lone goal as the Phoenix Coyotes fell to the Chicago Blackhawks 2-1 in overtime Saturday night. Brule had just five goals in 33 games this season, but his marker early in the second period gave Phoenix the lead, which it held for just over a period. Marc-Antoine Pouliot and Mike Smith each had the assists. Antoine Vermette finished with four penalty minutes, while Shane Doan had five of the Hawks' 19 shots.

Gilbert Brule was one of five Phoenix Coyotes who were healthy scratches on Saturday. David Schlemko, Chris Summers, Michael Stone and Paul Bissonnette joined Brule in the press box. With injuries to Lauri Korpikoski and Martin Hanzal, look for Brule to draw into the lineup for Game 3 in Chicago Tuesday.