Gerbe Signs

[shrader]

 

This is exactly the point. His agent said the deal was the result of "a flurry of activity" yesterday afternoon and he signed for the maximum.

Obvious conclusion, he won and the Sabres' blinked, for whatever reason.

 

Or Gerbe finally decided that it was time to leave. That flurry could've easily been kicked off by an "ok, let's talk" from either side.

[tom webster]

Or Gerbe finally decided that it was time to leave. That flurry could've easily been kicked off by an "ok, let's talk" from either side.

 

That's possible, except in your scenario, Gerbe decides to go pro and with in a couple of hours and a couple of phone calls, Buffalo gets to the maximum. Do you really think that sounds like Buffalo's modus operandi?

[BetweenThePipes00]

Flutie didn't play in that playoff game.

 

No, he played in the other one in Miami when he fumbled inside the 10-yard line down by 7 ... the "magic" must have run out ...

Let's cut Gerbe some slack and not compare him to the Legend of Flutie, which is so overblown he could never live up to it.

[BetweenThePipes00]

That's possible, except in your scenario, Gerbe decides to go pro and with in a couple of hours and a couple of phone calls, Buffalo gets to the maximum. Do you really think that sounds like Buffalo's modus operandi?

 

Well no, but they got a deal done a full 15 months before they lost his rights so ... apparently anything is possible ;)

[tom webster]

No, he played in the other one in Miami when he fumbled inside the 10-yard line down by 7 ... the "magic" must have run out ...

Let's cut Gerbe some slack and not compare him to the Legend of Flutie, which is so overblown he could never live up to it.

 

Watched that game on the beach in Jamaica with some Dolphin fans I had just met. What memories.

[shrader]

That's possible, except in your scenario, Gerbe decides to go pro and with in a couple of hours and a couple of phone calls, Buffalo gets to the maximum. Do you really think that sounds like Buffalo's modus operandi?

 

They're on record saying they wanted to get something done with him. I'm sure there was a relatively high offer on the table, but Gerbe wasn't ready yet. That doesn't stop the talks from happening, especially since in many cases, the family advisor does basically everything. Once Gerbe returns from the world championship camp, he's ready and talks get serious (aka. a flurry of activity).

 

Look at their other hgh profile college signings. Vanek and Stafford both got nearly every penny they could possibly get. Now, I don't remember the specifics of Vanek, but since he signed in september, I'm willing to bet that there was a "flurry of activity" with him too. Yes, they needed to get that done before the lockout, but there's one recent example of paying a big price to get something done. Stafford signed earlier than either player, but again, there's a player who worked something out quickly and got a very high valued contract.

 

I'm pretty sure I've seen you agree with this before, but this team will pay, but only if they think they're getting equal value in return. They were willing to go to this price, and maybe things were sped up a bit, but they would've gotten to this point eventually this offseason anyway.

[tom webster]

They're on record saying they wanted to get something done with him. I'm sure there was a relatively high offer on the table, but Gerbe wasn't ready yet. That doesn't stop the talks from happening, especially since in many cases, the family advisor does basically everything. Once Gerbe returns from the world championship camp, he's ready and talks get serious (aka. a flurry of activity).

 

Look at their other hgh profile college signings. Vanek and Stafford both got nearly every penny they could possibly get. Now, I don't remember the specifics of Vanek, but since he signed in september, I'm willing to bet that there was a "flurry of activity" with him too. Yes, they needed to get that done before the lockout, but there's one recent example of paying a big price to get something done. Stafford signed earlier than either player, but again, there's a player who worked something out quickly and got a very high valued contract.

 

I'm pretty sure I've seen you agree with this before, but this team will pay, but only if they think they're getting equal value in return. They were willing to go to this price, and maybe things were sped up a bit, but they would've gotten to this point eventually this offseason anyway.

 

I do agree they will pay and I hate being lumped in with those who think they are cheap. But they will use every letter of the agreement that is at their disposal and sometimes end up alienating players in the process. This was another negotiation that wasn't just about Gerbe but about how they were supposed to be willing to do things a little different.

This deal is like so many others, they dragged it out and in the end, they paid market or maybe even above. . I firmly believe if they do things different they can get these things done sooner and for less. If Gerbe's agent or family advisor is worth their salt, they knew the pressure on the team to get a deal done.

No matter how you slice or no matter how you think it happened, the indisputable fact is he got maximum which I know surprises you. Too bad there is no maximum for veterans, they would probably get there eventually too.

I want to make it clear, I am not sure how it went down and you may be right. But the facts are the flurry started and he got them to go to the maximum. Maybe it has nothing to do with the News, maybe it was the perfect time with the break in the playoffs. LQ is all about marketting.

As for Stafford and Vanek, you know it was different before the CBA, especially right before the lockout when college players were signing because everyone knew the pay scale was coming into effect and no one knew what effect the new CBA was going to have.

[shrader]

Stafford signed under the new CBA, so he was held to the entry level restrictions.

 

But anyway, I don't see how signing Gerbe for the max is some shot against Buffalo's negotiation skills. People have been throwing that figure around ever since the frozen four. No one was going to talk him down from that contract. This in no way has any effect on any talks with veterans because like you said, there is no max there. Its a completely different animal.

[SabreNod]

I'm not shocked, but I'm very surprised by this. Something must have clicked over the weekend. Maybe the training camp for the world championship convinced him.

 

 

Are you kidding? Something must have clicked over the weekend? What, because of fan worries on a message board and a beat reporter article that sounded like the words of a jilted fan?

 

PLEEEASE.

 

Maybe, JUST MAAAAYBE, the gears have been in motion for a while (as if we, OR the media knows what's going on behind the Sabres' doors), and maaaybe the Sabres have a lot to do, not just consider Gerbe, and maaaaybe it's not even summer yet, when these signings usually take place, and maaaybe, just MAAAYYBE, some Sabres fans have become positively neurotic about personnel matters and assumptions of management.

 

Just maybe though. :rolleyes:

[tom webster]

Stafford signed under the new CBA, so he was held to the entry level restrictions.

 

But anyway, I don't see how signing Gerbe for the max is some shot against Buffalo's negotiation skills. People have been throwing that figure around ever since the frozen four. No one was going to talk him down from that contract. This in no way has any effect on any talks with veterans because like you said, there is no max there. Its a completely different animal.

 

A) Why is Stafford's cap hit 984K ? (that's why I thought he signed before the CBA)

B) You didn't think he was going to get the max, did you?

B) My point with Gerbe and actually more with the RFA's, is that this is supposed to be their chance to show that they are doing things differently. I know there are other teams with guys out there, but teams have been signing their guys. There is not a huge gap with any of these guys between what they are asking for and what they are going to end up with, so just get it done. These guys are no different then any other company, they all talk to each other and text each other constantly.

[shrader]

Are you kidding? Something must have clicked over the weekend? What, because of fan worries on a message board and a beat reporter article that sounded like the words of a jilted fan?

 

PLEEEASE.

 

Maybe, JUST MAAAAYBE, the gears have been in motion for a while (as if we, OR the media knows what's going on behind the Sabres' doors), and maaaybe the Sabres have a lot to do, not just consider Gerbe, and maaaaybe it's not even summer yet, when these signings usually take place, and maaaybe, just MAAAYYBE, some Sabres fans have become positively neurotic about personnel matters and assumptions of management.

 

Just maybe though. :rolleyes:

 

Did I say a word about management? I said something must have clicked with Gerbe to convince him that it was his time to leave. I had been lead to believe that Gerbe wanted to stay in school, but then this came out of nowhere today. Skating with a bunch of pros could easily have that effect. But hey, go off about whatever it is you're going off about instead of actually reading more than one post.

 

A) Why is Stafford's cap hit 984K ? (that's why I thought he signed before the CBA)

B) You didn't think he was going to get the max, did you?

B) My point with Gerbe and actually more with the RFA's, is that this is supposed to be their chance to show that they are doing things differently. I know there are other teams with guys out there, but teams have been signing their guys. There is not a huge gap with any of these guys between what they are asking for and what they are going to end up with, so just get it done. These guys are no different then any other company, they all talk to each other and text each other constantly.

 

A) I don't remember the specifics of the previous CBA, but take a look at the annual salaries for Ovechkin, Malkin, Zajac and any others drafted in 2004. You'll see that same number over and over.

B) I didn't think he'd sign at all, so I never considered the amount.

B) (another B? ;) ) They'll have their chance to show that they are doing things differently, but I don't see this one playing into that at all. Actually, with Jochen Hecht they already showed an initial message that things have changed already. But then again, maybe this deal might show something. They wanted the guy, so they got something done. Now if they can go out and do the same with a few more people, things can change.

[tom webster]

Did I say a word about management? I said something must have clicked with Gerbe to convince him that it was his time to leave. I had been lead to believe that Gerbe wanted to stay in school, but then this came out of nowhere today. Skating with a bunch of pros could easily have that effect. But hey, go off about whatever it is you're going off about instead of actually reading more than one post.

A) I don't remember the specifics of the previous CBA, but take a look at the annual salaries for Ovechkin, Malkin, Zajac and any others drafted in 2004. You'll see that same number over and over.

B) I didn't think he'd sign at all, so I never considered the amount.

B) (another B? ;) ) They'll have their chance to show that they are doing things differently, but I don't see this one playing into that at all. Actually, with Jochen Hecht they already showed an initial message that things have changed already. But then again, maybe this deal might show something. They wanted the guy, so they got something done. Now if they can go out and do the same with a few more people, things can change.

 

I'm afraid to say this again for where it might lead, but I think Hecht was given too much. I like him as a player but think they may regret this one down the line when they are retooling.

I think we hammered the Gerbe debate to death, thanks for the insight.

[nfreeman]

I encourage everyone to listen to Darcy's presser on the sabres' website and/or itunes (at the "ice chips" podcast). He sounds very psyched about Gerbe. Among other things, he said he definitely thinks Gerbe is an NHL player (he said the same thing about Kennedy). I must admit, it got me kind of psyched about the kid and, dare I say, the future of the organ-eye-zation.

[carpandean]

I encourage everyone to listen to Darcy's presser on the sabres' website and/or itunes (at the "ice chips" podcast). He sounds very psyched about Gerbe. Among other things, he said he definitely thinks Gerbe is an NHL player (he said the same thing about Kennedy). I must admit, it got me kind of psyched about the kid and, dare I say, the future of the organ-eye-zation.

Yeah, I got that feeling, too. I also was excited about what Gerbe had to say. He definitely has humility, which that SO goal on YouTube made me question. He called his goal in a recent exhibition game a "junk" goal and said he was just lucky to be on a line with some really good players. He's also pretty well-spoken.

 

Question is, who will be the first to buy a Gerbe jersey? If he makes the move to the NHL, I just might!

[tom webster]

Yeah, I got that feeling, too. I also was excited about what Gerbe had to say. He definitely has humility, which that SO goal on YouTube made me question. He called his goal in a recent exhibition game a "junk" goal and said he was just lucky to be on a line with some really good players. He's also pretty well-spoken.

Question is, who will be the first to buy a Gerbe jersey? If he makes the move to the NHL, I just might!

 

 

Just like Leodis McKelvn!

 

Seriously, that was the best I 've seen Darcy look and sound in a long time.

[SabreNod]

Did I say a word about management? I said something must have clicked with Gerbe to convince him that it was his time to leave. I had been lead to believe that Gerbe wanted to stay in school, but then this came out of nowhere today. Skating with a bunch of pros could easily have that effect. But hey, go off about whatever it is you're going off about instead of actually reading more than one post.

 

 

hey, sorry shrader. By "something must have clicked" I thought you meant "clicked with management", an assumption no doubt fueled by the curiously relentless bashing of Sabres management in this forum since last spring.

[SabreNod]

I'm afraid to say this again for where it might lead, but I think Hecht was given too much. I like him as a player but think they may regret this one down the line when they are retooling.

I think we hammered the Gerbe debate to death, thanks for the insight.

 

 

Couldn't disagree with you more here. Hecht is arguably the most consistent forwards the Sabres have. You know what you're going to get every night from Pommer and Hecht. Hecht is also the most reliable defensively. And his scoring has been steady. Steady is good. And on the rise. And he's a universally respected leader on the team. Not everybody is going to be a dazzling scorer. To be good, really, good, every team needs a Hecht. I'll take this bet with you - the Sabres will NEVER "regret" the Hecht deal.

[tom webster]

hey, sorry shrader. By "something must have clicked" I thought you meant "clicked with management", an assumption no doubt fueled by the curiously relentless bashing of Sabres management in this forum since last spring.

 

Why so curious? Even you have admitted they have made mistakes?

[Taro T]

I encourage everyone to listen to Darcy's presser on the sabres' website and/or itunes (at the "ice chips" podcast). He sounds very psyched about Gerbe. Among other things, he said he definitely thinks Gerbe is an NHL player (he said the same thing about Kennedy). I must admit, it got me kind of psyched about the kid and, dare I say, the future of the organ-eye-zation.

Very interesting PC.

 

Both Nathan and Darcy were saying the right things. Just need to have the actions match the words now.

[tom webster]

Couldn't disagree with you more here. Hecht is arguably the most consistent forwards the Sabres have. You know what you're going to get every night from Pommer and Hecht. Hecht is also the most reliable defensively. And his scoring has been steady. Steady is good. And on the rise. And he's a universally respected leader on the team. Not everybody is going to be a dazzling scorer. To be good, really, good, every team needs a Hecht. I'll take this bet with you - the Sabres will NEVER "regret" the Hecht deal.

 

Don't think he was hugely over paid, just a shade. Also, he is a reluctant leader, and at 30 years old he should have taken some of that veteran leadership void. His scoring has not been on the rise either and finally, I thought he was one of the players that didn't come through toward the end, albeit there were several.

[SabreNod]

Why so curious? Even you have admitted they have made mistakes?

 

Of course they've made mistakes, Tom. Every team has made mistakes. Nobody is perfect managing a team of young millionaires, with their favorite childhood teams beckoning, with inflated contracts in the air, etc. And THEY had admitted their OWN mistake RE: Chris Drury. It's easy for fans to say THIS was a mistake and THAT was a mistake, but no matter what Bucky G. says, we don't know the whole story. I only knew that losing Drury sucked, and I felt very disappointed that they hadn't extended him when the 06/07 season started. I got over it rather quickly. I wish everybody would, because this place is a whole lot more fun when the focus is the future. What feels good about the team, not what hurts. Darcy has done many, many good things for this team. He has a great eye for talent and has done as good or better than any team in this league in the draft, considering their position in those drafts.

 

What's curious? I thought my sentence was pretty clear. The word 'curiously' having been a modifier for 'relentless' and all...

 

The fact that it hasn't stopped since last spring. Every day it seems there's a new thread or at least a handful of posts that kick the same dead horse.

[SabreNod]

Don't think he was hugely over paid, just a shade. Also, he is a reluctant leader*, and at 30 years old he should have taken some of that veteran leadership void. His scoring has not been on the rise either** and finally, I thought he was one of the players that didn't come through toward the end***, albeit there were several.

 

 

* You make this statement because he's not particularly vocal? Most hockey players appreciate players who lead by example, not by megaphone. He wore that C proudly.

 

** Annual goal summary in his Sabre career: 10, 15, 18, 19, 22. Is that not a rise?

 

*** Why, because he didn't put up many goals? That's not his primary skill. He's a defensive forward. There were many problems with the team this year, mostly defensive. Putting Hecht in the "didn't come through" category is absurd.

[carpandean]

Of course they've made mistakes, Tom.

:D

[nucci]

Don't think he was hugely over paid, just a shade. Also, he is a reluctant leader, and at 30 years old he should have taken some of that veteran leadership void. His scoring has not been on the rise either and finally, I thought he was one of the players that didn't come through toward the end, albeit there were several.

Had career high in goals and think he was captain twice this year.

[Chief Enabler]

great news. looking forward to seeing him on the ice. Gionta comparision sounds fair (but with more passion). i like Lindys' line about "if your under 5'10" it doesnt really matter". :D

 

Now we are at the point of who's roster spot (could or is) he potentially going to take?

 

Do you think he should learn face-offs? He is so close to the drop. I think so. I think he should shadow Roy for awhile.

 

Another thought, for some reason I feel Bernier needs to be in the long term picture paired with Gerbe, grinder line.

 

Sorry bout the random thoughts B-) coffee.