Penguins demote Alex Goligoski

Sent down. Does this mean Gonchar is coming back soon?

about 3 years ago FrankD 11 comments 0 recs |

Comments

I have mixed feelings on this one. I read in article that he is leading rookie defenseman in points and he has been playing all season. Gonch on the other hand has been out so long that he clearly isn’t in mid-season form. As we seen/see with Whitney’s shakey return, it takes some time to be at the top of your game. If Gonch is in fact coming back do you think he will have top form by playoffs, crossing fingers that there will be post season play?

by AngelaMc on Feb 7, 2009 1:19 PM EST reply actions

I’m thinking still a week or two for Gonchar. The guy is taking contact in practice now but he’s still talking about soreness in his shoulder. I don’t know what demoting GoGo means exactly, but I’d think someone is probably on their way back to fill the open roster spot.

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by FrankD on Feb 7, 2009 2:09 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t think this has anything to do with Gonchar coming back, it’s probably more like he needs more playing time and also is a wake up call.

He’ll be back. Also looks like Fedotenko isn’t too far way from coming back either {not relevant to Goligoski though}.

by spiker97 on Feb 7, 2009 2:00 PM EST reply actions

I thought GoGo did a pretty good job and Therrien was the one holding him back. He could use some work though, especially with puck control when in the other team’s zone (how many times did a pass to him clear the zone?).

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by FrankD on Feb 7, 2009 2:08 PM EST up reply actions

Plethora of D-man

Gogo drew the short stick… he’ll be back.. if not this season, I would expect him to be up all of next season after the Pens lose a D-man or 2 in free agency or trade away one(assuming Gogo isn’t the trade bait).

by Stros Bro on Feb 7, 2009 3:21 PM EST up reply actions

Gogo had no need of a wakeup call. They could have just waived Boucher and sent him packing if someone claimed him. Goligoski needs playing time, but he needs it at the top level. He’s got nothing left to learn that the AHL can teach him.

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by JustinM on Feb 7, 2009 10:44 PM EST up reply actions

Silly me, though…waive a guy with a French name. Not on Therrien’s watch!

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by JustinM on Feb 7, 2009 10:45 PM EST up reply actions

Bring him BACK!

If there has to be an odd man out in our defensive rotation it needs to be Mark Eaton…he is terrible. Yes he did score a much needed goal the other night against TB but he provides nothing that GoGo doesn’t bring better. Very disappointed in this move.

by Teaters33 on Feb 7, 2009 5:50 PM EST reply actions

Eaton is the bigger contract. Plus he’d have to clear waivers if they sent him down which would ultimately open him up to other teams. Since GoGo hasn’t played over 150 (not entirely sure of the number) games they won’t lose him in a demotion for the club.

But I’m totally with ya on sending GoGo down. Would rather he keep picking up some NHL experience.

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by FrankD on Feb 8, 2009 12:11 AM EST up reply actions

I think this is a safe move. Goligoski doesn’t have to clear waivers, and the Pens have too many healthy D-men right now, so someone had to go down. With over a third of the season left to play why would they want to risk losing someone to waivers when they didn’t have to? We all know how quickly injuries can pile up, so preserving as many players on your roster as you can at this time of year is the smartest thing to do.

He’ll get a lot of quality minutes with WBS and he’ll definitely be back. The way I see it this is a precautionary move more than a statement to the player etc.

by Dayna on Feb 7, 2009 7:48 PM EST reply actions