Low-balling Gerbe?

[Bmwolf21]

"but they continue jerking around their players."

What does that mean, Bucky?

 

If they are going to return to college, then they don't have an agent, right?

So who are they negotiating with?

 

Gerbe may not have enough classes to be a senior under NCAA rules - (until next week at least - is he taking finals?).

Until he's a senior he can't talk contract without jeopardizing NCAA eligibility (his leverage?)

 

But we should just accept he's being jerked around....or has there been an offer?

 

I don't think it can be both yet.

Maybe Shrader has some know here?

Granted, his writing continues to sound like a smart-ass kid or jilted ex-lover, but there's got to be some substance to what he wrote - otherwise why haven't they been able to hammer out a deal yet?

 

Family "advisers" (i.e., unpaid agents) do the talking with the Sabres so the player doesn't risk losing his amateur status and NCAA eligibility. So it is more than likely that some "discussions" have taken place.

[tom webster]

"but they continue jerking around their players."

What does that mean, Bucky?

 

If they are going to return to college, then they don't have an agent, right?

So who are they negotiating with?

 

Gerbe may not have enough classes to be a senior under NCAA rules - (until next week at least - is he taking finals?).

Until he's a senior he can't talk contract without jeopardizing NCAA eligibility (his leverage?)

 

But we should just accept he's being jerked around....or has there been an offer?

 

I don't think it can be both yet.

Maybe Shrader has some know here?

 

Darcy acknowledged that they were going to have discussions with the "family advisors" as Bmwolf put it. Kennedy has already stated he wanted to come out last year but he would be a fool to actually hire an agent till he had a deal in place.

[PromoTheRobot]

You all just let us know when the Sabres management actually does something you DON'T approve of. Obviously they are building a dynasty here.

 

PTR

[tom webster]

What he stands to gain is a couple games of professional hockey. Depending on the timing, he could get in a couple AHL regular season games and a possible playoff run (which would all depend on how well our farm team is rebuilt, so who knows how likely that is). If we waits for UFA, he doesn't get in any action until October. You'd think that the chance to pick your own team would be appealing, but really, how many times have we seen that play out? I don't know how important that is to these kids, but I'm willing to bet that its not all that important in most cases.

 

I will say one thing though, out of this class of 3 college juniors, I think have already signed the one with the greatest potential for professional hockey.

 

 

About as many times as I've seen a team go from President's Trophy to also ran.

[shrader]

So 3 times?

[tom webster]

So 3 times?

 

Technically, there is only two times, but you get my point. Guys like Van Ryn, Heisten, Stasiak, Oates and even Fabian Brunnstrom, all players in different situations, but all players who took or are taking full advantage of total free agency.

[shrader]

Technically, there is only two times, but you get my point. Guys like Van Ryn, Heisten, Stasiak, Oates and even Fabian Brunnstrom, all players in different situations, but all players who took or are taking full advantage of total free agency.

 

And there is one MAJOR difference between Gerbe/Kennedy and any of those names you listed (I'm not quite sure who Stasiak is)... entry level contract restrictions.

[tom webster]

And there is one MAJOR difference between Gerbe/Kennedy and any of those names you listed (I'm not quite sure who Stasiak is)... entry level contract restrictions.

 

And that is precisely my point. I am quite sure the other players signed for less then the top offer (I know Staszak and Oates did). Gerbe and Kennedy will be able to sign anywhere and money will not end up being part of the equation because it will be similiar.

 

BTW, Staszak(typo initially) was the big catch when the Red Wings signed Adam Oates. He turned out to be a big bust mostly due to zero foot speed. Had 35 goals and 72 points in about 35 games with U. of Illinois-Chicago in 1984 -85.

[inkman]

Man, the off-season sure does suck.

[connee]

5'5"

[LabattBlue]

5'5"

I'm not saying Gerbe's odds of becoming a good NHL player aren't long, but don't just look at his size and throw him to the curb.

 

I wonder how many people dismissed his ability to succeed at the NCAA D1 hockey level?

 

Have you watched him play at all?

 

Have you heard of Theo Fleury or Spud Webb?

[ExiledInIllinois]

Have you heard of Theo Fleury or Spud Webb?

 

Or Danny Briere or Doug Flutie...

 

"We represent the Lollipop Gang!"

 

:chris:

[carpandean]

Or Danny Briere or Doug Flutie...

Derek Roy is a far shorter hockey player than Danny ever was or ever will be. The Sabres were right to drop Danny for Derek!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Yes, that was a joke.)

[shrader]

Have you heard of Theo Fleury or Spud Webb?

 

Great. Two people in the entire history of sports. :o ;)

[LabattBlue]

Great. Two people in the entire history of sports. :o ;)

Like I said, his odds may be long, but he should not be dismissed on height alone.

[apuszczalowski]

He's playing Hocky, not Basketball, I don't think Height will be an issue

[shrader]

Like I said, his odds may be long, but he should not be dismissed on height alone.

 

And my list of reasons for doubting him should be well known at this point. But hey, I might as well have a little fun with the topic now since I really have to limit what I say from here on out.

[BetweenThePipes00]

There are a lot of possible reasons the kid has not signed yet ... yes, the Sabres jerking him around may be one of them. Or the kid may just want to go back to school ... or he hasn't decided yet ... is it totally inconceivable that the Sabres offered the entry level max and the kid is thinking about it?

Look at the Sabres roster ... look at all the forwards ...

Afinogenov

Bernier

Connolly

Gaustad

Hecht

Kaleta

Kotalik

MacArthur

Mair

Paille

Peters

Pomminstein

Roy

Stafford

Vanek

 

they may possibly (hopefully?) purge Max and/or Kotalik, but that's 15 guys there with legit NHL experience ... Gerbe would have to beat out at least 3 of them for a spot, and Mair, Kaleta and Peters are probably locks because of the role they play ... so he'd have to crack the top 3 lines ... plus there IS some pressure on the front office to bring in some leadership ... so if they bring in another veteran forward, that's one more guy blocking Gerbe from playing in the NHL next season ... and that's not counting Zagrapan, Gragnani and Mancari ... all of whom have put in the AHL time the Sabres like to get their prospects ...

 

So isn't it possible the kid figures he's not going to play a big role next season and would rather spend it at B.C. than in the AHL on a bus? Maybe his side's definition of "jerking the kid around" means they will not guarantee him a spot in the NHL ... who knows?

Or, maybe the Sabres looked at the list above and plan on bringing in a veteran also and decided they don't want to pay the kid this season when he is not going to make an impact.

One of these days I will practice some self-control and not get sucked back into this thread ... but until then, i will say it again ... Gerbe is WAY down my list of worries this off season ... They need to extend Miller and Pomminstein, they need a physical D-man, I'd like to see a veteran 3rd/4th line center who can win faceoffs and provide leadership (Stephane Yelle?), and I'd also like them to find a way to lose Max and Kotalik in favor of a winger LIKE a Ryan Malone, although maybe not actually him. If they do most of those things, then I will worry about them signing a kid who is NOT a lock to be an impact NHL player.

[stenbaro]

There are a lot of possible reasons the kid has not signed yet ... yes, the Sabres jerking him around may be one of them. Or the kid may just want to go back to school ... or he hasn't decided yet ... is it totally inconceivable that the Sabres offered the entry level max and the kid is thinking about it?

Look at the Sabres roster ... look at all the forwards ...

Afinogenov

Bernier

Connolly

Gaustad

Hecht

Kaleta

Kotalik

MacArthur

Mair

Paille

Peters

Pomminstein

Roy

Stafford

Vanekthey may possibly (hopefully?) purge Max and/or Kotalik, but that's 15 guys there with legit NHL experience ... Gerbe would have to beat out at least 3 of them for a spot, and Mair, Kaleta and Peters are probably locks because of the role they play ... so he'd have to crack the top 3 lines ... plus there IS some pressure on the front office to bring in some leadership ... so if they bring in another veteran forward, that's one more guy blocking Gerbe from playing in the NHL next season ... and that's not counting Zagrapan, Gragnani and Mancari ... all of whom have put in the AHL time the Sabres like to get their prospects ...

 

So isn't it possible the kid figures he's not going to play a big role next season and would rather spend it at B.C. than in the AHL on a bus? Maybe his side's definition of "jerking the kid around" means they will not guarantee him a spot in the NHL ... who knows?

Or, maybe the Sabres looked at the list above and plan on bringing in a veteran also and decided they don't want to pay the kid this season when he is not going to make an impact.

One of these days I will practice some self-control and not get sucked back into this thread ... but until then, i will say it again ... Gerbe is WAY down my list of worries this off season ... They need to extend Miller and Pomminstein, they need a physical D-man, I'd like to see a veteran 3rd/4th line center who can win faceoffs and provide leadership (Stephane Yelle?), and I'd also like them to find a way to lose Max and Kotalik in favor of a winger LIKE a Ryan Malone, although maybe not actually him. If they do most of those things, then I will worry about them signing a kid who is NOT a lock to be an impact NHL player.

If thats the lineup we go into the season with get used to no playoffs...They wont sign anyone of significance if they follow their business model they have set forth and followed..They are gonna build through the draft and make a few trades..Maybe they sign a low end two way center but I expect no more...

[apuszczalowski]

There are a lot of possible reasons the kid has not signed yet ... yes, the Sabres jerking him around may be one of them. Or the kid may just want to go back to school ... or he hasn't decided yet ... is it totally inconceivable that the Sabres offered the entry level max and the kid is thinking about it?

Look at the Sabres roster ... look at all the forwards ...

Afinogenov

Bernier

Connolly

Gaustad

Hecht

Kaleta

Kotalik

MacArthur

Mair

Paille

Peters

Pomminstein

Roy

Stafford

Vanek

 

they may possibly (hopefully?) purge Max and/or Kotalik, but that's 15 guys there with legit NHL experience ... Gerbe would have to beat out at least 3 of them for a spot, and Mair, Kaleta and Peters are probably locks because of the role they play ... so he'd have to crack the top 3 lines ... plus there IS some pressure on the front office to bring in some leadership ... so if they bring in another veteran forward, that's one more guy blocking Gerbe from playing in the NHL next season ... and that's not counting Zagrapan, Gragnani and Mancari ... all of whom have put in the AHL time the Sabres like to get their prospects ...

 

So isn't it possible the kid figures he's not going to play a big role next season and would rather spend it at B.C. than in the AHL on a bus? Maybe his side's definition of "jerking the kid around" means they will not guarantee him a spot in the NHL ... who knows?

Or, maybe the Sabres looked at the list above and plan on bringing in a veteran also and decided they don't want to pay the kid this season when he is not going to make an impact.

One of these days I will practice some self-control and not get sucked back into this thread ... but until then, i will say it again ... Gerbe is WAY down my list of worries this off season ... They need to extend Miller and Pomminstein, they need a physical D-man, I'd like to see a veteran 3rd/4th line center who can win faceoffs and provide leadership (Stephane Yelle?), and I'd also like them to find a way to lose Max and Kotalik in favor of a winger LIKE a Ryan Malone, although maybe not actually him. If they do most of those things, then I will worry about them signing a kid who is NOT a lock to be an impact NHL player.

The debate and the problem isn't about getting him signed so he can play here next year. The problem is that they can risk losing him if they put it off til next year because he could end up a FA if he isn't signed before next year. There is probably less then a 5% chance he would make the NHL roster next year, the concern is that if they put off signing him, they may run out of time and they could lose a good prospect. Also getting him into the AHL now will get him to the NHL sooner

[shrader]

The debate and the problem isn't about getting him signed so he can play here next year. The problem is that they can risk losing him if they put it off til next year because he could end up a FA if he isn't signed before next year. There is probably less then a 5% chance he would make the NHL roster next year, the concern is that if they put off signing him, they may run out of time and they could lose a good prospect. Also getting him into the AHL now will get him to the NHL sooner

 

That's not entirely true. In many cases, these kids can actually develop more with another year at the college level. Jerry York is the best coach at the college level, so if anyone can put a player in the right situation to continue to grow at that level, its him. Typically, the guys that are ready to take that next step end up at the NHL level, at least for a short time, early in their first year as a pro. Gerbe's not at that level right now, so if he needs another year of development, the college level ma very well be the best place for that.

[LabattBlue]

And my list of reasons for doubting him should be well known at this point. But hey, I might as well have a little fun with the topic now since I really have to limit what I say from here on out.

I know your stance on Gerbe and you certainly have seen him a lot more than me. I'm just hoping your wrong. :D

[shrader]

I know your stance on Gerbe and you certainly have seen him a lot more than me. I'm just hoping your wrong. :D

 

And I'm hoping he does leave because I'm beyond sick of watching him walk all over my team like he has the last two years.

[BetweenThePipes00]

The debate and the problem isn't about getting him signed so he can play here next year. The problem is that they can risk losing him if they put it off til next year because he could end up a FA if he isn't signed before next year. There is probably less then a 5% chance he would make the NHL roster next year, the concern is that if they put off signing him, they may run out of time and they could lose a good prospect. Also getting him into the AHL now will get him to the NHL sooner

 

I get it, but the bigger part of the post was that HE does not HAVE to sign if he does not like his prospects of playing in the NHL next season. The Sabres may like the idea of a year in the AHL, but that doesn't mean the kid wants to leave his friends and a winning program to spend a year in the AHL. There's no rule that says he HAS to sign if the Sabres offer the max contract but want him to play in the minors.

[Guest Sloth]

This doesn't partain to Gerbe directly, but Darcy basically asked Quinn publicly what type of team is he allowed to build. A Stanley Cup contender or a team for making profit/entertainment. Quinn has focked things up in the past and he's doing it again. You can try say he played a role in the 2 ECF's, but I put all of that on Lindy and Darcy. The dismantling of the team is all Quinn. I'm not sure if any franchise has gone from one end of the spectrum to other in such a short period of time.