In the current NHL, where defenseman blocks tons of shots, it is expected that your 7th defenseman will be playing over 17 minutes during several regular season games.

If you need to find ways to completely shield Gervais from ever playing over 12 minutes and making sure he never sees good players or defensive zone face-offs, then he's not a 7th d-man. He's an average AHL d-man.
- PhillySportsGuy

I didn't state that he should never ever play over 12 minutes in a game. I specifically discussed average icetime.
Every team looks to hold down the icetime of 6/7 defenseman and keep them in the proper matchups whenever they can. So that doesn't make him an average AHL defenseman. It makes him an average NHL depth defenseman.

What has he proven. Go look at his past teams and ask the fans what they thought of him. Everyone agrees that he's not an NHL player. I'm not sure what the Flyers see in him. I'm assuming they didn't want to bring a young guy up to sit in the press box, so they kept Gervais as the 7th d-man. Thats the only thing I can come up with.
- PhillySportsGuy

What the fans think doesn't prove anything. Some of the commentary here proves that. Failing to put into proper perspective the situation in how he was used. Who is included in "everyone" that agrees he's not an NHL defenseman?

I didn't state that he should never ever play over 12 minutes in a game. I specifically discussed average icetime.
Every team looks to hold down the icetime of 6/7 defenseman and keep them in the proper matchups whenever they can. So that doesn't make him an average AHL defenseman. It makes him an average NHL depth defenseman.
- MJL

If he needs to be shielded from the opposition than he obviously isnt NHL material

I hear ya, driving drunk is just being inconsiderate for other peoples safety and anyone else in the vehicle. If cops did that though then whats the point in even having a bar??? Everyone knows, even cops that most of the cars in the parking lot will be driven home by someone intoxicated. Its just the way it is and I dont see it getting any better.
- GOA88

The point of a bar is to drink beer, the driving home part isn't integral.

If he needs to be shielded from the opposition than he obviously isnt NHL material
- GOA88

Most teams have guys they shield. I think Gervais is not an average depth defenseman, I think he's a bad depth defenseman, but still more than an AHLer.

I didn't state that he should never ever play over 12 minutes in a game. I specifically discussed average icetime.
Every team looks to hold down the icetime of 6/7 defenseman and keep them in the proper matchups whenever they can. So that doesn't make him an average AHL defenseman. It makes him an average NHL depth defenseman.
- MJL

The whole issue is that Gus and MAB don't have two way contracts and cannot be brought up and sent down freely. If they could, I would be fine with Gervais as a 7th dman who would only play if the team was on the west coast when an injury occurred. Otherwise, they could call up Gus or MAB to fill in.

I just hate the fact that Gus and MAB will have to be on the team for good, once they're called up. That could mean they sit for long periods of time.

The whole issue is that Gus and MAB don't have two way contracts and cannot be brought up and sent down freely. If they could, I would be fine with Gervais as a 7th dman who would only play if the team was on the west coast when an injury occurred. Otherwise, they could call up Gus or MAB to fill in.

I just hate the fact that Gus and MAB will have to be on the team for good, once they're called up. That could mean they sit for long periods of time.
- PhillySportsGuy

WHY DID WE BURN A YEAR OF THEIR ELCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??????????

Most teams have guys they shield. I think Gervais is not an average depth defenseman, I think he's a bad depth defenseman, but still more than an AHLer.
- jmatchett383

Yeah shielded from the top lines, its pretty difficult to keep a defenseman under 17 mins a game.

Define a proven NHL depth defensman. He is a liability to any team he has played for his whole career. He is fine to fill a spot when your depleted with injuries but thats it. He isnt a regular bottom pairing defenseman. Thus confirming that he is a minor league defenseman. Thats where he plays until a team gets injuries.
- GOA88

A player who has been on an NHL as a depth defenseman for the past 7 NHL Seasons.
The facts do not support your post. Gervais has not played a game in the AHL since 06/07. He has been in the NHL the past 7 Seasons as a depth defenseman.

A player who has been on an NHL as a depth defenseman for the past 7 NHL Seasons.
The facts do not support your post. Gervais has not played a game in the NHL since 06/07. He has been in the NHL the past 7 Seasons as a depth defenseman.
- MJL

and that makes him good in your opinion? I think your the only person defending his defensive skills at the moment. Pick your battles

LOL....Its a curse...I dont even drink that often either(once every few months)...Its pathetic that some bumholes can get drunk to the point(most of the time i believe they are acting way more drunk than they really are) of fighting or picking fights with other fans.
- PhillaBully

I envy the two beer queers as you call them.. I've gotten to the point where I can't stand drunk people in general. To make this short, I graduated last year, got a job, got my own apartent still off campus at school to stay close to gf (she has one year left). So I'm still close to all the college bars and what not but refuse to go to any of them. There's prolly 10 bars that i can walk to, I will only go to 2 maybe 3 of them.

The whole issue is that Gus and MAB don't have two way contracts and cannot be brought up and sent down freely. If they could, I would be fine with Gervais as a 7th dman who would only play if the team was on the west coast when an injury occurred. Otherwise, they could call up Gus or MAB to fill in.

I just hate the fact that Gus and MAB will have to be on the team for good, once they're called up. That could mean they sit for long periods of time.
- PhillySportsGuy

First of all, having a two way contract has zero to do with being brought up freely. Secondly, waiver considerations on what to do in player moves, is a different argument then what kind of player Gervais is.
Gustafsson would not clear waivers in my opinion. MAB would in my opinion, and be can be freely recalled. If your asking me who would I waive between Gervais and Gustafsson, if I had to choose. I'd choose Gervais. But that's again, a different conversation.

and that makes him good in your opinion? I think your the only person defending his defensive skills at the moment. Pick your battles
- GOA88

Show me where I labeled Gervais as "good"?

and that makes him good in your opinion? I think your the only person defending his defensive skills at the moment. Pick your battles
- GOA88

I will defend Gervais as a good depth defenseman at the nhl level.

Yeah shielded from the top lines, its pretty difficult to keep a defenseman under 17 mins a game.
- GOA88

From NHL. com:

The SC Champion Blackhawks #7 was Sheldon Brookbank. 12:45 TOI/game.
The SC Finalist Bruins #7 was Matt Bartkowski. 13:29 TOI/game.
The WCF Kings #7 was Keaton Ellerby. 14:17 TOI/game.
The ECF penguins #7 was Engelland/Despres. 13:55/15:06 TOI/game.

So a little more than 12, but under 17.

Show me where I labeled Gervais as "good"?
- MJL

I believe you said he is an above average depth defenseman.

A player who has been on an NHL as a depth defenseman for the past 7 NHL Seasons.
The facts do not support your post. Gervais has not played a game in the NHL since 06/07. He has been in the NHL the past 7 Seasons as a depth defenseman.
- MJL

I just don't trust Gervais at all. He always seemed to be out of position and made terrible decisions with the puck. Guys like Huskins, Lilja and Lauridson are all viewed as 7th dmen right now, but played better than Gervais.

The Flyers actually have depth on defense and I don't want to see Gervais play for the Flyers this year unless they are hit with a ton of injuries.

Yeah shielded from the top lines, its pretty difficult to keep a defenseman under 17 mins a game.
- GOA88

Again, look at the facts. Look at the averag icetimes for defenseman on NHL teams. You'll find that it's not pretty difficult to keep a defenseman under 17 minutes a game.

First of all, having a two way contract has zero to do with being brought up freely. Secondly, waiver considerations on what to do in player moves, is a different argument then what kind of player Gervais is.
Gustafsson would not clear waivers in my opinion. MAB would in my opinion, and be can be freely recalled. If your asking me who would I waive between Gervais and Gustafsson, if I had to choose. I'd choose Gervais. But that's again, a different conversation.
- MJL

If Gus had a two-way contract and Mez got injured for 3 weeks, they could call him and then send him down when Mez returned without worrying about waivers.

Again, look at the facts. Look at the averag icetimes for defenseman on NHL teams. You'll find that it's not pretty difficult to keep a defenseman under 17 minutes a game.
- MJL

I honestly dont really care. Gervais is a liability to the flyers. Plain and simple. Even at 12 mins a game.

I just don't trust Gervais at all. He always seemed to be out of position and made terrible decisions with the puck. Guys like Huskins, Lilja and Lauridson are all viewed as 7th dmen right now, but played better than Gervais.

The Flyers actually have depth on defense and I don't want to see Gervais play for the Flyers this year unless they are hit with a ton of injuries.
- PhillySportsGuy

Those players played when the team simplified the defensive strategy, and played much better team defense. Also at that time, Gervais had a serious injury he was playing with, that needed to be corrected in the off season.
And you're comparing apples to oranges. Play Huskins, Lilja, and Lauridsen in the same situations that Gervais played in, and see what happens.

The last sentence of your post, I don't disagree with. Which is why I label Gervais a depth defenseman.

I believe you said he is an above average depth defenseman.
- GOA88

He called him an "average" depth defenseman and a "fine part-time 6/7 defenseman." I think that might even be much, as I'd call him a below-average depth defenseman.

Oh, look at you being all high and mighty, with your "flat screen" and your "sofa." I bet you like drinking out of clean glasses and eating off of clean plates too, don't ya? DON'T YA!?
- jmatchett383

Thanks jmatchett I needed a laugh. Crap day, but have now cracked a smile...

If Gus had a two-way contract and Mez got injured for 3 weeks, they could call him and then send him down when Mez returned without worrying about waivers.
- PhillySportsGuy

I think there's still be waiver issues if Gus was on a 2-way. I don't know the intricacies, but it's not as simple as 1-way or 2-way.

If Gus had a two-way contract and Mez got injured for 3 weeks, they could call him and then send him down when Mez returned without worrying about waivers.
- PhillySportsGuy

False. \two way has zero to do with a players waivers status. One way or two way determines how a player is paid. Waviers is based on total NHL games played, and when the player signed his first NHL contract.