written by Iain Carnegie, AllHabs.net
MONTREAL, QC. — I know it’s a disgustingly hot evening in Montreal, but if you crack your window open just a tad, you can almost hear the whining, crying, and complaining.
At roughly 10:17 pm. EST, on Friday July 22, 2011, the Montreal Canadiens franchise announced that they had reached a pre-arbitration deal with defenseman Josh Gorges.
What should have been a collective sigh of relief quickly became the typical inherent bickering of the Habs fan base, as the details of the contract became known.
Gorges and his agent (Kevin Epp) have agreed to sign a one-year deal for $2.5M, keeping him in a Canadiens jersey for another year.
I personally see this as a solid signing by Pierre Gauthier. Despite all the epic contracts that have been handed out since the free agency market opened up, Gauthier stuck to his game plan, and did what he feels is best for the franchise. He knew walking into arbitration that he had the upper hand, and he stuck to his guns.
There are two issues to this contract that have people up in arms creating a thousand sub-arguments. Term is the biggest issue – so it would seem – while the salary portion is causing some ridiculous debate as well.
As far as the term is concerned, I can see why many fans and media believe that one year was not long enough. He’s a young strong defender (at the age of 26) with six years of experience within the Habs organization. Most feel that it was necessary to lock him up long term as soon as possible.
But reality, for those who care to take off their rose-coloured glasses, states that Gorges is quite an average defenseman. I could go on about how he’s only put up 59 points in 364 NHL games (9G, 50A), but that isn’t really the place to be looking. It does give a solid overview of his offensive talent as a defenseman however, and goes to the position that Gorges is purely a one-dimensional player.
His strength on the ice really lies in his own zone, and on the penalty-kill. There was a noticeable reduction in penalty kill percentage after he went out for the season last year. Acquisitions of Paul Mara and Brent Sopel really weren’t enough to fill the void. Off the ice, he’s considered to be a real leader in the dressing room. His character is well above question.
These things, however, don’t place Gorges in the elite “D-man” category. After having a season-ending injury such as he did, with the skill set that he has, there was no way that the organization wanted to take the risk in a long-term signing at this time. Gauthier did what he needed to do, and protected the future of the team.
The salary issue is quite simple as well. You don’t take someone who is not elite in their position, fresh off a knee injury, and hand him three times what he was making the previous season. Why some find this hard to comprehend, I don’t understand. Gorges cashed his paycheck for $1.1M last season. After missing half of the seasons games, and going for reconstructive knee surgery, jumping up to $2.5M is not only reasonable, but proper. In the cap era that we live in, this was no time to be overpaying for a standard defenseman who may not be 100%.
The arguement stemming from all of this has become the comparison of the Gorges contract to the Markov contract — probably the most ludicrous comparison that anyone can make. There is no way to put these two players on the same level.
Markov is an elite defenseman who quarterback’s the power play, is an extremely skilled playmaker with his stickhandling ability, and he averages over a point every two games (366 points in 623 NHL games). Even with the skills of our next upcoming defensive superstar, PK Subban, the Habs defense has been decimated by the loss of Markov during the past two seasons.
To say that it was inconsistent to give number 79 the long term contract for the big dollars, while sidestepping Gorges with the minimum makes no sense. To put it in the straightest possible terms I can think of (so I can also deal with the “risk factor” argument as well): If Markov comes back 10-15 per cent worse than his ability has shown, he still plays as a top two defenseman who will carry the team defensively making them a true Stanley Cup contender. If Gorges comes back 10-15 per cent worse than his past ability, it makes him a fringe NHL player, and very replaceable.
There is a string of strong talent that the Habs have acquired coming up through the system. There is some strong potential in Alexei Yemelin that could seriously make Gorges position more redundant in the next couple of years. There is talent in Nathan Beaulieu and Josiah Didier that may change the direction the team needs to go in defensively, as they come up through the ranks.
At the end of the day, the picture is quite clear. Josh Gorges managed to get himself a healthy raise for a year, while proving to the franchise that he has healed and can be back at 100 per cent. If he does that, he’s also more than likely set himself up to be overpaid as he enters the next free agency frenzy as an unrestricted free agent (UFA) next season.
I like Gorges, and I’m happy to see him back in a Habs uniform, but as I stated in this post on BBBR, there was no need to sign him for a ridiculous amount of money or long term, and Gauthier did the right thing.
I’ve read some interesting comments about Gorges personality, and that he “bleeds the CH”. If he bleeds the team, then he’ll probably be happy to prove himself and earn a long term contract with Montreal as an UFA with a substantial raise.
Welcome back to the fold Josh! We’re all happy you’re here, regardless of the bickering that goes on!
Good write up Iain,
I love Gorges play and effort.
Sure he is a smart shot blocker, but smallish, not a big hitter, not offensive at all, not a fighter and does not clear the front of net.
But i think $2.5 is an adequate pay and if he wants to walk next year, so be it, i really dont think it would be a big hole to fill.
But i am glad he is signed and again i think Gauthier may have reservations about knee and fiting in longer plans.
Thanks for the comment Don. I know that I won’t make a ton of friends with this one, but it’s all about stating opinion and inspiring debate.
I too am very happy to see him back. He’s the type of guy a team can only benefit from in that “all around” type of equation. But as you say, if he walks next year – there are plenty of talented players out there that could fill his role. I hope that he has a great season, and that in turn – will get another good contract offer for mulitple years.
Hello Iain,
Great job, as usual. But then, you know my views on the subject!
There is no real issue with salary. Gorges got exactly what one could expect given his comparatives. What most people cannot get past, even though they have no idea what actually happenned, is the “humiliating” term granted the “heart and soul” of the defense.
I think calling Gorges “average” is a bit severe, though! He is not elite, but he is excellent at what he does. The problem is, most people do not realize that what he does is a #4-5 defenseman’s job. Not Doughty’s, not Weber’s, but that of a Ference, a Niskanen, an Oduya, a Kris Russell or a Douglas Murray.
What brings Gorges on top in this category is not is offence (like Niskanen) or brawn (like Murray), but his defensive savvy… and the precious “intangibles” (heart, leadership, willpower, character, good influence on teammates, etc.). The value of these is hard to quantify because, well… they’re in-tangible, see!
So the question is: how much more $$$ or years are these traits worth. Fans value them a lot, hence the visceral reaction to this perceived “insult” to a “true Hab”… even though a true Hab would re-negotiate so as to remain, like Markov and, more to the point, Tomas Plekanec did after being in the exact same situation!
I also find it fascinating that people assume a player who “plays the market” will necessarily leave… although those who do tend to end up so ridiculously overpaid (Komisarek, Wiz,…) that you can only breathe a sigh of relief when the GM resists the ambient lunacy.
Well once again – thanks for the comments and support!
You could be right – perhaps average is a wee bit harsh. For that, I apologize! But I don’t think he’s necessarily excellent at what he does. We can agree to disagree – as we’ve been known to do from time to time. We always have good discussion though.
I agree with you 100% on the intangible department. You are so correct there. And that’s an area that I often criticize fans for not seeing. There is far more to any player than the stats that they put up. Players can bring far more than goals and assists to a franchise. I think you’re so right in your assesment of those things with Gorges, and you can’t readily put a price on them. However, the game of hockey is a business, and it often requires that it be quantified by someone when it comes to contract time.
I believe, if we see a healthy Gorges over the next season, we’ll also witness exactly what you stated. A true Hab that will re-negotiate with the team to remain here – and most likely get another healthy raise as a result.
Thanks again for stopping in!
I concur entirely with your assessment Gorges is character player who’s presence on the ice elevates the Habs team defense. His injury and return are factors that Gauthier had to take into consideration.
I have said this before Gauthier is manages the team like he is playing chess, fans are playing checkers.
A good and concise read.
Thank you.
There were so many things that had to be taken into consideration by the Canadiens before getting to an appropriate contract could be signed. I don’t believe for a moment that the Montreal franchise is hurling any insult at Gorges with this contract. I think they are just looking out for the best interests of the team and it’s short to mid range future. There are a ton of fans out there that forget they aren’t privy to everything that goes on behind closed doors in these negotiations (me included), so keeping a more open frame of mind is something I feel is paramount.
Thanks for the read and leaving your thoughts!
Great article, Iain!
To me, your following statement is the most important:
“If he bleeds the team, then he’ll probably be happy to prove himself and earn a long term contract with Montreal as an UFA with a substantial raise.”
That is exactly my thought on the Gorges contract; it was my thought for Plekanec a couple of summers ago, as well, and look how that turned out.
As much as I (and obviously A LOT of others) love Josh, he didn’t do anything last season to justify a 4 or 5 year contract. Who knows what would have happened this summer had he played the entire season…maybe he could have been signed long-term, but he didn’t, and he wasn’t.
I believe that fact he avoided arbitration and signed for ‘only’ one year shows that he will, indeed, continue to be the player he was(or better) and have the same positive and hardworking attitude he’s shown throughout his time in Montreal.
I know I’d rather have players that want to prove themselves. Those are the ones who deserve bigger paycheques and longer terms.
I really can’t wait to see an interview with Josh…it may diffuse some of the anger and conflict we’ve been reading!
SeriousHabit above said ‘fans are playing checkers’…a lot of the time it seems more like Go Fish! :)
Quite a few people are relating this to the Plekanec situation, I feel that is probably the case as well. However, I did have a long conversation with a source tonight that has assured me that Gorges really wanted term with the club, and hopes that it will not come back to haunt PG or the team.
Reality is – only time will tell. But based on what I know of Josh Gorges, I think he’s the stand up type of guy that will most liklely take this as a “return to health year”, showing us that he is worthy of the longer contract next free agency.
Thanks a ton for the read – and the comment as well!
Why did the habs resign Gill? Not for his blazing speed as he is the slowest d-man in the league. It’s not for his prolific goal scoring or assists. It’s not because he’s mean and nasty. It must be those intangibles eh.
Gill was re-signed for his ability to escalate his game in the playoffs, the number of blocked shots he supplies (esp on the PK), and his veteran Cup winning leadership. He also has size and he uses it to move people off the puck.
He may not be a strong offensive d-man either, but he is a strong defensive player. He too was only signed to one year at $2.25M
Lain
I have to say that i completly disagree with you on everything u said. Gorges is a valuable piece of the habs who is vital for the pk, shutdown role and for his leadership. He may not have much offensive upside but thats why we have markov n subban. He was dearly missed wen he got hurt n it showed during the playoffs. This was our chance to sign him long term so that he can help us win a cup. This is our future captain right here.
Bruins never got 1 PP goal vs Habs in 7 games (granted it was the Bruins but..), so how was Gorges missed?
Habs lost the series because they are bottom dwellers in team scoring, which hopefully Cole and Pacioretty will help with and Gomer and Cammellari will also need to improve at least a bit over last years dismal regular season production.
I agree that we hurt in the regular season when Gorges went down. The numbers don’t lie. I believe the PK went from 2nd to 11th after his departure, and then finally got back to 7th (I believe) for the end of the season.
But your statement about it showing in the playoffs seems to be a bit off. I believe Don has already pointed out the PP woes the Bruins had vs the Habs in that seven game series.
I also seriously question him ever becoming Captain in this city.
I like Gorges very much. The more I hear about him as a person (by those that actually know him), the more impressed I am with him. But he still is not elite, and I still believe that PG did what was right for the business of the franchise.
Thanks for reading and leaving your thoughts!
Iain,
i don’t have a problem with the money. Amount seems right to me.
I do have an issue with term, for many reasons. I don’t have a problem or a worry about the injury. Guys have their knees reconstructed every year in this league. Worst case scenario is that they slow down a bit, and “speedy” isn’t a word i would use to describe Gorges anyway.
I hate that he will be UFA next year, vs RFA. Whole different ball game. This was an opportunity to sign him on the cheap.
He’s no elite dman, but all teams need 1 or 2 like him. Shot blockers, PK specialists, grinders, hard workers, etc.
I understand Habs have a decent D group in the works, BUT, Jacques Martin doesn’t handle rookies all that well. Therefore, i have questions and reservations when it comes to their development when they get here. Yemelin won’t be seeing a lot of ice time if he makes mistakes ( which he will of course ), and he just might decide to head on back to Mother Russia.
I love everything i hear about Josh, both on and off the ice. Leadership. Respect. Work ethics. Heart.
I remain very disappointed with a 1 year deal.
Thanks Chantal.
One thing that we’ll never really know – unless we have an insider is … Maybe Gorges was offered a multi year “cheap” but he didn;t want to take it and get locked into a contract that he feels wasn’t paying enough. Could it be possible – just possible that the reason this contract was agreed on by both sides is due to the fact that $2.5M was a reasonable amount, but Gorges didn’t want to take that for more than 1 year? Speculation from the outside.
Although I’ve agreed with you in the past regarding JM and PG nurturing young players, something tells me there is a new directive. I point to Ryan White, Max Pacioretty, and Yannick Weber as being the new way. Add in Price and Subban to that equation.
I agree that Gorges definitely fills a slot that is needed – just as you state. But I also think that (a la Plekanec) this was the right move to make.
Always love your challenging comments “C”!
We could speculate until the Earth crashes into the Sun and probably have it all wrong anyway, but i don’t think Josh would have declined a longer term for less money. Stability and security is money in this business. That being said, as you say, we’ll probably never know.
I am however willing to bet Josh himself is very diappointed today. He’s been here for many years. I don’t care what his “market value” is or will be, i care about his value inside this organization, and i think that’s why i’m bummed about the 1 year contract. Management have done their evaluation, and this is where we stand.
On the bright side, we’ll have lots to talk about and keep us on our toes next summer.. should be interesting. :)
With all due respect, I really do not understand the line of reasoning that says that we could have signed Gorges “on the cheap” this summer.
a)if stability and security are worth so much to Gorges this year that he would sacrifice money for it, shouldn’t it be the same next year?
b)if, as everyone seems to assume, there will be a rush on his services as a UFA, wouldn’t his agent be aware of this? and would he not ask for an amount similar to what he expects Josh will fetch on the market if the Habs want to “buy” UFA eligibility years from Gorges? (I would!)
c) if management is unwilling to bend long term on said amount (for whatever reasons, perhaps even having nothing to do with Gorges, such as the uncertainty over the CBA) why would Gorges accept more than a year of this “undervalued” price? and why would he bear a grudge about it?
Gorges (and the fans) may indeed be disappointed in the result, but if you were his agent, wouldn’t you rather negotiate the long-term deal when you actually have weapons in your arsenal? And that, for Gorges, is next summer…
What i meant by signing him on the cheap is that once he becomes UFA, the “power” shifts.
I don’t think 25 teams will come running after Josh come next July. He’s a player that fills a specific slot on the roster, a sort of “specialist”.. those guys aren’t worth 4 M$ per year.
Josh said himself yesterday that he was hoping for a long term deal. I’m sure his agent tried to satisfy that. Habs decided otherwise.
Great write-up again, Iain,
I was shocked to see 1-year at 2.5M, not because I don’t think it is a fair deal, but becaus I can’t understand how it took so long to get that. I expected that Epps was looking for a) a longer term, and b) more money.
I really thought they woudl continue to hold out, and that arbitration would bump that price tag up a few bucks. Judging by other RFA signings, I thought Gorges would command $3M, especially for a few years.
I’m sure Gorges will have a good year, and that he will have a strong position going into negotiations next summer.
Overall, I’m happy to see him signed, and look forward to his strong work ethic and solid play throughout the season!
Hiya Chris – Thanks for the comments!
I can’t say that I was too surprised. The more I thought about this going to arbitration, the more I felt that PG had the upper hand. $3+M was steep for Gorges.
Don’t get me wrong – I love the guy, but I think the money was right, and I’m ok with the term. There are a billion (guesstimate) reasons that fans are upset with the term – and I can completely see their points), but I think this was a strong positive business decision by Gauthier.
I too think that he’ll come back strong. He has no choice regardless of where he signs next year. But in the end – with a strong season, and a solid desire to stay in Montreal, he may find himself in the perfect position as a UFA nest year.
Just ask Tomas Plekanec.
Wow, another great piece, Iain. You’ve hit the key points directly on the head.
This is a modest contract for a modest, likeable, though unspectacular, player. I’m not a fan of Gauthier, but I agree with him on this one. PG seems to excel at signing this type of player to this type of contract.
Thanks for the support Leo. God knows I’ve taken some heat for this one.
But I believe as you do – that this was a solid proper contract based on all the tangibles and intangibles.
It’s hard to watch such a loveable guy get a one year term, but reality does state that this was the right move (IMHO).
He’s a loveable guy, but that doesn’t mean you can throw the bank at him, or a massive multi year deal till we’re sure he’s ready for it!
Once again – thanks for the read and support!
Iain, I would question the knowledge base and motivations of anyone who is giving you heat over this. Pay them no heed.
Gorges has been an unexpectedly pleasant surprise since coming over as trade deadline compensation in the Rivet-to-San Jose deal, if memory serves me. I like the fact that he plays hard and seems to be a good locker room guy.
But, let’s be honest: he’s a nice player, not a great one. He’s not offensively gifted and doesn’t have the size to be a punishing defender in front of Price. He shuts down no one. He’s a gritty and determined blocker of shots and clearer of pucks. He makes safe and smart passes to start the rush. That’s about it.
Adding to his limited skills is his torn ACL. Say what you want, folks, but having an ACL tear is a problem. Now before you people start telling me about advances in medical science, save it. I know. I have suffered through my own torn ACL. While it is possible to recover and play at a high level, you are NEVER the same. JG will not be as effective as he once was, and his knee will only deteriorate in the years to come. That, of course, assumes that he doesn’t blow up the same knee again and his career ends altogether.
So, I ask you all: how much money do you want to hand a gritty, determined, likeable yet smallish defender with limited skills and a bad knee?
Be realistic, and keep in mind that there’s a salary cap!
If JG truly bleeds blue, white and red, he’ll sign a modest longer-term deal with the Habs before (or after) he’s a UFA. If he doesn’t, the Rangers or someone like them will throw mind-numbingly huge cash at him and he’ll jump at it. That’s the nature of hockey, and, like it or not, hockey is a business.
Keep telling it like it is, Iain.
I have nothing more to say than ….
Thank you for understanding where I’m coming from.
I don’t profess to be right, but I have a thought that has earned to be heard.
Merci Leo!
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