Gerbe, 30, was signed by the Blue Jackets on January 24 and recalled on recalled on February 21. He appeared in two games with the Blue Jackets and has collected one goal and nine assists for 10 points in 11 games with Cleveland this season. He began the 2017-18 campaign with Genève-Servette HC in the National League (Switzerland), where he had notched 2-5-7 and 85 penalty minutes in 19 games and totaled 13-22-35 and 107 penalty minutes in 38 games over the past two campaigns.

The Oxford, Michigan native has registered 58-80-138 points and 172 penalty minutes in 396 career NHL games with the Blue Jackets, Buffalo Sabres and Carolina Hurricanes. He posted four seasons of 25 or more points, including setting career highs in goals and points with 16-15-31 in 64 contests with Buffalo in 2010-11. The forward later tied his career high in goals and points with 16-15-31 in a career-high 81 games with Carolina in 2014-15. The 5-4, 176-pounder was drafted by Buffalo in the fifth round, 142nd overall, in the 2005 NHL Draft. He racked up 71-62-133, 216 penalty minutes and a +43 plus/minus rating in 123 career games at Boston College from 2005-08.