SkeeterHansen Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 General managers are going to manage, even if there's no actual NHL hockey to look after right now. Amid the ongoing lockout, Pittsburgh Penguins GM Ray Shero continues to plan ahead at how he can have this team best built for when they play again -- because they will play hockey again ... at some point. Now, according to a report from Bruce Garrioch, those plans would include a former Penguin coming back; Sergei Gonchar. The Penguins never wanted to lose Gonchar in the first place when he signed a three-year, $16.5-million deal with the Senators on July 1, 2010. Shero wouldn't give Gonchar the additional year he wanted on a new deal. While Gonchar struggled to make a contribution during his first season with Ottawa, he had a strong second campaign and chipped in offensively with five goals and 32 assists in 74 games. The Penguins now want his veteran leadership back in their dressing room. It's no accident Gonchar chose to play with Penguins star centre Evgeni Malkin on Russian KHL club Magnitogorsk Metallurg during the lockout. Ottawa Sun The Penguins have been looking to upgrade the blue line since last season ended with a rather awful (to be kind) defensive showing against the Flyers in the first round of the playoffs. They traded away Zbynek Michalek to the Coyotes in a draft-day deal, and it seems pretty obvious that Shero would like to fill that spot with a proven player while also picking up some offense on the back end. Gonchar would fit those requirements. He has proven himself before -- he spent five seasons with the Penguins and won a Cup with them in 2009, after all -- and, as Garrioch pointed out, he does have some offensive capability. Gonchar has one season remaining on a contract that carries a $5.5 million salary cap hit. Assuming there is NHL hockey this season, it wouldn't be much of a risk for the Pens. If it didn't work out, then Gonchar is a free agent after the season. If there is no season, then they can sign Gonchar -- likely to a very short deal -- and get him back without giving up any players to the Senators in return. Garrioch said that one way or another, Gonchar will end up in Pittsburgh again. Hence, why the Sens would consider moving him. Perhaps good news for the Pens this season is that Gonchar should be in playing shape. He has been spending his long "vacation" in the KHL with Evgeni Malkin on Metallurg Magnitogorsk, so his veteran legs should be under him. So? What do you guys think? Gonchar was a stud his first time around in the 'Burgh. Can't see how he wouldn't work out this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smashian Kassian Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 Yeah I'm a big Gonchar fan, was an even bigger fan when he was in Pittsburgh, it would be a great move by them to bring him back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pears Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 I think this would be a very solid move by Pittsburgh to get Gonchar back. Anyone know how many points he's putting up in Russia? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkeeterHansen Posted December 24, 2012 Author Share Posted December 24, 2012 I think this would be a very solid move by Pittsburgh to get Gonchar back. Anyone know how many points he's putting up in Russia? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkeeterHansen Posted December 24, 2012 Author Share Posted December 24, 2012 Yeah I'm a big Gonchar fan, was an even bigger fan when he was in Pittsburgh, it would be a great move by them to bring him back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pears Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 24 points in 32 games according to the Metallurg website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susraiders Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 I could see him fitting very well back in Pittsburg. Maybe a mid pick and a decent prospect for him? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Vintage Canuck- Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-AJ- Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 Since Lidstrom retired, Gonchar is the active leader in goals and points among defensemen with 214 goals and 748 points. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkeeterHansen Posted December 24, 2012 Author Share Posted December 24, 2012 Since Lidstrom retired, Gonchar is the active leader in goals and points among defensemen with 214 goals and 748 points. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMapleLaughs Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 Or maybe the Pens will acquire Karlsson. Garrioch... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkeeterHansen Posted December 24, 2012 Author Share Posted December 24, 2012 Or maybe the Pens will acquire Karlsson. Garrioch... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-Money Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 Letang, Orpik, Martin, Michalek... That should be a fantastic top-4, but Philly ripped them to shreds. But they've all been solid defenders in the past. I'd question the coaching first. That said, Gonchar would be a great re-addition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHL rocks Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 Malkin and Gonchar are best friends. I've watched interviews of Malkin talking about his relationship with Gonchar. He looks up to Gonchar like an older brother. Malkin credits Gonchar for helping him adjust to North American life and success on the ice in Pitt. Malkin's contract is up after next season, he'll be UFA. If it happens bringing back Gonchar would is a proactive move by Shero to increase the chances of Malkin re-signing in PIT. Stall turned down 60 mill 10 years in PIT to take the same offer in Carolina. If Malkin leaves it would be a huge blow to Pittsburgh. I still don't think Malkin will remain a Penguin after he hits UFA even with Ray Shero attempting doing this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Surfer Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 I'd trade Ballard for Gonchar? Also solves a lot of cap problems from surfacing as the contract expires before we have to comply with a smaller cap! General managers are going to manage, even if there's no actual NHL hockey to look after right now. Amid the ongoing lockout, Pittsburgh Penguins GM Ray Shero continues to plan ahead at how he can have this team best built for when they play again -- because they will play hockey again ... at some point. Now, according to a report from Bruce Garrioch, those plans would include a former Penguin coming back; Sergei Gonchar. The Penguins never wanted to lose Gonchar in the first place when he signed a three-year, $16.5-million deal with the Senators on July 1, 2010. Shero wouldn't give Gonchar the additional year he wanted on a new deal. While Gonchar struggled to make a contribution during his first season with Ottawa, he had a strong second campaign and chipped in offensively with five goals and 32 assists in 74 games. The Penguins now want his veteran leadership back in their dressing room. It's no accident Gonchar chose to play with Penguins star centre Evgeni Malkin on Russian KHL club Magnitogorsk Metallurg during the lockout. Ottawa Sun The Penguins have been looking to upgrade the blue line since last season ended with a rather awful (to be kind) defensive showing against the Flyers in the first round of the playoffs. They traded away Zbynek Michalek to the Coyotes in a draft-day deal, and it seems pretty obvious that Shero would like to fill that spot with a proven player while also picking up some offense on the back end. Gonchar would fit those requirements. He has proven himself before -- he spent five seasons with the Penguins and won a Cup with them in 2009, after all -- and, as Garrioch pointed out, he does have some offensive capability. Gonchar has one season remaining on a contract that carries a $5.5 million salary cap hit. Assuming there is NHL hockey this season, it wouldn't be much of a risk for the Pens. If it didn't work out, then Gonchar is a free agent after the season. If there is no season, then they can sign Gonchar -- likely to a very short deal -- and get him back without giving up any players to the Senators in return. Garrioch said that one way or another, Gonchar will end up in Pittsburgh again. Hence, why the Sens would consider moving him. Perhaps good news for the Pens this season is that Gonchar should be in playing shape. He has been spending his long "vacation" in the KHL with Evgeni Malkin on Metallurg Magnitogorsk, so his veteran legs should be under him. So? What do you guys think? Gonchar was a stud his first time around in the 'Burgh. Can't see how he wouldn't work out this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake Doctor Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 I'd like to see the Senators trade him, he's not what they need right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCNeil Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 As teams like the canucks will have to deal with keeping its team intact with the new cap, other teams will be looking at the new floor. Phx, NYI, OTT. Several other teams, that might lose fans this year too. They will be looking to cut 2012/13 payroll. With Kelser hurt (more cap space), we can grab players off these teams that only have this year left on their contract. Gonchar fits this, Visnovsky or Streit off the Islanders, Roy or Ryder off Dallas..... Not suggesting any of them in particular, but might be easy to get , if this teams just want to spend to the lower floor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.