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Brule signs one-year deal with Coyotes... and KHL?

Phoenix Coyotes v Vancouver Canucks

VANCOUVER, CANADA - SEPTEMBER 23: during the first period in NHL pre-season action on September 23, 2013 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***

Rich Lam

The good news for 2005 sixth overall pick Gilbert Brule is that he’s going to play professional hockey this season. The only question now is: Where?

The Phoenix Coyotes announced they signed Brule to a one-year, two-way contract on Saturday. While that would normally clear the path for him to either play in Arizona or in the AHL with the Portland Pirates, there’s an apparent conflict.

KHL franchise Metallurg Magnitogorsk announced five days ago that they, too, had signed Brule. If it’s true that Brule committed to Metallurg first and they wish to keep him, he would likely have to play there as there’s generally a mutual respect for each league’s contracts.

Of course, this could just all be one huge clerical error and he will wind up in Phoenix in no time. The last time he was in the NHL, he suited up for the Coyotes during the 2011-12 season scoring five goals with 14 points in 33 games.

Brule has been playing in the AHL with Portland this season. He spent last year in the Swiss league playing just 12 games for Zurich.

Follow @JoeYerdonPHT