Ducks trade Switzerland's Gerber to Canes

[Jazz]

Ducks trade Gerber to Canes for defenceman[/u][/color]
source: CANADA.COM

ANAHEIM (CP) -- The Mighty Ducks acquired defenceman Tomas Malec and a third-round 2004 entry draft pick, 74th overall, from the Carolina Hurricanes for goaltender Martin Gerber on Friday.

Malec, 22, was drafted by Florida, 64th overall, in 2001 and was acquired by Carolina with Bret Hedican, Kevyn Adams and a second-round 2003 pick for Sandis Ozolinsh and Byron Ritchie in January 2002. He appeared in 41 NHL games that season and in only two last season when he spent most of his time with the AHL farm club in Lowell, Mass.

Gerber, 29, was 11-12-4 in NHL starts last season with a 2.26 goals-against average and .918 save percentage. He was drafted by Anaheim in the eighth round, 232nd overall, in 2001.

[marrella]

Yikes, our goaltending just gets weirder and weirder. I really didn't expect us to keep Weekes after the past two years. I was really hoping he would rise to the occasion but he's just an ok goaltender. I fully expect to see us not tender an offer and let him go unrestricted.

However, that only leaves us with Gerber and budding goalie Cam Ward. I don't know anything about Gerber. I understand he played in the Swedish Elite League before NHL. Anybody know anything about him? I mean, REALLY know anything about him? Have watched him play? Heard his name discussed around Europe or NHL?

[Jazz]

Hey Marrella.

Gerber proved more than a quality backup for JS Giguere. In fact, he had the better stats between the 2.

RK PLAYER TEAM.......... GP... W. L. T. SA... GA... GAA.. SV... SV% SO G A TOI PIM
1 J GIGUERE ANA.......... 55... 17 31 6 1623 140 2.62 1483 .914 3 0 2 3,210:27 4
2 MARTIN GERBER ANA... 32... 11 12 4 785... 64 2.26 721 .918 2 0 0 1,698:25 4


For some reason, he always seemed to play well against the Canucks - in fact, all the Vancouver sports-reporters mentioned it was good news for Vancouver on the day the trade was announced.

I seriously think he can be the lead goalie for the Canes

[NyQuil]

I agree that Gerber deserves a shot at #1.

However, you should always take care when comparing statistics between back-ups and starters.

Often, the backup stats are better. For example, Legace in Detroit, Prusek in Ottawa.

But, often backups are employed against weaker teams in the league, leaving the tough teams for the starting goalies.

This isn't always the case, but it is something to keep in mind when comparing stats between starters and backups.

[Jazz]

Good point NyQuil

Anyways, Gerber's game-by-game breakdown for the '03/'04 season can be seen here