bring in another aging veteran in Gerber. Gerber is 35 years old, and it had appeared that his career in the NHL was over.
It's likely there is more to this than just adding a 4th goaltender to be sitting in the press box. It seems Tambellini is looking to insure he has the goaltending in place if Khabibulin isn't available. Gerber can very well fill in that role if Khabibulin either is sentenced to prison or his back isn't good to go.
It has been suggested elsewhere that Gerber will strengthen the farm club in Oklahoma City. However, I must shake my head - I hardly doubt the Oilers are using a 35 year old to use up valuable time in the Barons net. Why on earth would the Oilers risk losing a year of development for their younger tenders? With the log jam of goaltending available in the NHL and seeing how the majority of NHL teams are already committed to their goal tending, it wouldn't be a surprise to see both Deslaurier and Dubnyk start with the farm team. That would insure a good goal tending tandem for the Barons and a great year of seasoning for both players.
Actually it is a One-Year, Two-Way contract for $500k in the NHL and $200k in the AHL, and he is expected to play in AHL most of the time. Only used for call-up purposes or injuries, as Khabib will most likely develop chronic back problems. Goaltenders that suffer from back problems are always career ending. They rarely, if ever, bounce back. This is merely adding depth where we need it most with a small, one year contract so we can give our prospects more time to develop. Unfortunately for JDD this spells the end of his tendure as an Oiler. Khabib and Dubnyk will start and when Khabb is injured, Gerbs will come fill in the back up role. He is not signed with expectations to carry a team, play large minutes, or 70 games a season. Merely a good signing, small contract, great value, and reliability. He can also add veteran leadership to a team with young prospects. It was no secret that Tambs was seeking a second goaltender for AHL team, as JDD and DD have one-way contracts, one of whom will be released/waivers. Seeing as though Dubnyk has a 2-year and JDD has a one-year, we can assume that JDD will be gone the time pre-season starts.
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ReplyDeleteSorry about that, too easy to make typo's when writing a blog with a phone. Meant to say 2 way contract, not 2 year contract.
Given that Gerber made 700,000 tax free last year in the KHL - I doubt he is going to lay down and play as an AHLer this year for a taxable 200,000. Given how well he played last year in the KHL, I'm sure an option was available to him. Look to him to come in strong and demand the playing time.
It's also interesting to note that the new assistant coach, Ralph Krueger, as the national coach of the swiss team. Gerber played under Ralph Krueger. Something tells me a Gerber was recommended by Krueger.
With the 2 way contract it gives the Oilers the flexibility to have him go down to the farm club if miraculously either Deslaurier or Dubnyk have an outstanding training camp. It forces Gerber to prove he's an NHL quality goalie still, nothing more.
I can't see the Oilers "planning" to have Gerber take that valuable time away from prospect tenders in the AHL. Doesn't make sense.