I said at least twice in my post that a buyout would only be a potential option IF IF IF the relationship is terminally broken and the trade market is zero. In that case, do you keep him around for three years? That's what PV would need to decide IF IF IF the Gibson relationship is terminal. I also said a buyout was very unrealistic in the absence of a terminal relationship. If you want to respond what you would do under those circumstances feel free to. In any other circumstance I don't see a buyout.
Gibby isn't terminal. Our fan base and media often drum up of trading him for years. Gibby has been able to mute all that noise. Many of us feel like he's giving up based upon body language. We don't factor in that he maybe playing through injuries despite Gibby being taken out of the game lots this year and reported injuries to where he can't play. Look at Mac. He was amazing when he was healthy to start the season: 21 points in 20 games! Then he had back issues and hasn't played amazing since, despite racking up 21 points in 44 games.
I ran the numbers at 5v5 and PK. He's producing similarly with Dostal, but better than Dostal at HD chances. Both are over .900 Sv% at 5v5 situations, per Natural Stat Trick. Both are abysmal at the PK dept, which doesn't make sense b/c we're good at ES defense. That mean our PK coaching sucks ass.
We don't have to buyout Gibby. We can ride him for the next three years if we have to do it. Gibby isn't terminal. He just happens to have a bad team in front of him on the PK and not much offensive goal support to speak of.
Last year's PK GA = 78 goals against on the PK
This year's PK GA = 90 goals against on the PK in 81 games.
Last year's GF = 209 goals.
This year's GF = 200 goals in 81 games.
This year's roster is much better than last year's roster!
