Penguins make call to farm, Sergei Gonchar still resting
by FrankD on May 17, 2009 11:40 AM EDT
in News
Email
PrintI think it's safe to say that whatever injury Sergei Gonchar is playing through isn't just a sprain or bruise. Despite not having a game since May 13 and taking off three consecutive days of practice, head coach Dan Bylsma has hinted that the time off isn't exactly improving things much:
"We're not even to game day yet. Let me just say it's a game-day decision."
Dan Bylsma
Trib-Review
Gonchar is expected to continue resting up before tomorrow night's Game One. It shouldn't come as much of a surprise if he misses the morning skate.
Perhaps as a way of having some healthy reserves on hand, Ray Shero made a call to the farm for five healthy players. Dustin Jeffrey, Christopher Minard and Jeff Taffe; defenseman Ben Lovejoy; and goaltender John Curry all made the trip to Pittsburgh. Although Gonchar is obviously hindered by an injury heading into this series, I don't think these call ups will effect much in terms of the roster. Taffe obviously has some NHL experience and may be considered a potential replacement for the slumping Pascal Dupuis.
To me that's really the only one that makes any sense, unless Shero really feels Jeffrey and Minard could fit into the third or fourth line, Lovejoy is a better reserve than Goligoski and Curry should dress as Fleury's backup - all of which seem highly unlikely. Somehow I don't see this as more than just a conditioning and/or experience assignment for the WB/S squad.
13 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
from a opponent team fan……may all your players be able to go, and play to the best that you can……May the better team win (or be lucky however you look at it!)
Likewise. Should be a series not too dissimilar from the ones they just left. In our case, I’m hoping we just do our best to contain the Staal line that has been outstanding through the Playoffs.
PensBurgh penalty - Lavender - 2 minutes for hijynxing.
Which Staal line?
I’m wondering if Jordan picks up his game now that he’s going to be playing against big brother. He’s been a good two-way player the entire playoffs, and did show moments of dominance against the Flyers. However, he hasn’t really had a breakout series yet IMO. Eric has been on fire, so for him it is just a question of maintaining momentum. If both Staal’s cancel each other out, it’ll be a huge win for the Pens. Jordan doesn’t have to beat his brother. Just contain him.
Eric ;)
Though, Jordan’s line, with Mr. Kennedy, has been a strong one for the better part of the season, in my book. Rarely see bad shifts out of them.
Certainly will be interesting seeing who one ups the other. Anyone know Eric and Jordan’s overall stats against one another?
PensBurgh penalty - Lavender - 2 minutes for hijynxing.
Couple Things
It’s too bad that injuries will keep Caputi and Pesonen out for the playoffs. Although, they would have only played due to injury to a top 6 forward which would have been worse.
Of the group the only one that has a chance to see some action is Taffe and that would be for Dupuis, but I still think Dupuis should get the ice time if the Pens dress 12 forwards. After all, if they want to trade him this summer to make room for Caputi and shed 1.4m off the books for next year; now is the time to show him off.
If Fluery gets hurt I think the Pens need to go to Curry before Garon, he has played more and is playoff ready, Garon is not. Garon should dress as the backup out of respect. It won’t matter soon because Garon is gone at season’s end and Curry takes over as the backup. I expect Curry to see 20 some games a year might I add.
Lastly, Connor James not getting a call up to the “taxi squad” for the rest of the season as he approaches UFA is a sign that he is gone from the organ-I-zation.
Life is about one simple choice, get busy living or get busy dying
at least I had the wings to get me my hockey fix today….
now to see what the Pens have in store for Carolina….
Here’s an odd question for this site: is it legal to be a fan , or at least a follower of the team, without really liking Sidney Crosby? Because that seems like that’s where I’m at. I respect the guy much more than I did last season…and I don’t know whether that’s from hanging around here since last year’s SCF, or just watching him learn how to whine less, and just play the game….
“Fan” and/or “follower of the team” seems to be rather subjective in your case. Does seem rather odd, imho, to be a “fan” of team and not like their Captain. I watched Detroit Chicago games as well to get hockey fix, didn’t really satisfy me though. : )
it is weird, isn't it?
and I fully admit it….but it’s one of those things where you go into a situation not liking a certain aspect, and even though you end up thinking the situation is cool, the aspect still rankles…maybe like liking a movie with a certain actor you usually can’t stand? I don’t know…
And the follower/fan thing….I’m not sure it’s ok for me to cross over into full pens fandom without being a sports bigamist…it might be at best a Michigan/Wisconsin thing with me, I can root for the Badgers, until it interferes with the Wolverines interests, at which point the heart takes over and rejects the red….I mean, you’ve seen my comments on here…I want the Pens to do well, even reach the SCF again…but if it’s a rematch of last year, then I’ll be coming around as the enemy again, albeit a hopefully respected one instead of the unknown interloper I was last year….
Well as they say in The Godfather, “Keep your friends close but your enemies closer.”
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
Might not be that bad
I think it’s safe to say that whatever injury Sergei Gonchar is playing through isn’t just a sprain or bruise. Despite not having a game since May 13 and taking off three consecutive days of practice, head coach Dan Bylsma has hinted that the time off isn’t exactly improving things much:
It seemed to me like Bylsma was joking when he said that at the press conference. More like a “Wow, it’s not even game day and you’re making me tell you he’s a game-time decision.” I think he was simply saying that it’s the playoffs and he’s not giving out any info on injuries. The fact that Sarge was able to suit up for game 7 means it’s not career-ending, and that’s pretty much all we’ll know until the playoffs end. Let’s be optimistic! :-D
I thought that too but I also felt that if he were definitely healthy and good to go Bylsma wouldn’t have danced around it. Of course, like you said, the whole injury thing is one that should be handled with sensitivity, especially if it will allow Carolina to adjust their roster in any way that could possibly benefit them better. I think Gonch will play and Pitt will carry 7 d-men.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
I hope from a Caps fans perspective that Gonchar whoop can come back completely healthy. I wish like Hell we’d have never let him go, and babyface can still play some hockey. He makes the game more interesting to watch, be it on a bad turnover (or maybe he’s eliminated that, I haven’t paid too much attention in the last few years) or on a great power play point shot. I’ll admit though, I don’t think you should take Goligoski out to play Gonch. He scares the crap out of me as an opposing fan.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on PensBurgh
Related FanShots on PensBurgh
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Thursday’s Three Stars: Kings win eighth straight; Kopitar’s sweet breakaway deke
- King leads Kings to super-meta Game 3 victory over the Coyotes
- Coyotes Coach Dave Tippett on embellishment: ‘The game is turning a little dishonest’ (VIDEO)
- No Hanzal, no Aucoin for Coyotes in Game 3 vs. Kings; Hal Gill, pylon (Playoff Puck Previews)
- Tom Renney’s contract not renewed by Edmonton Oilers; who might replace him?
Latest stories and headlines from NHL.com
- King, Quick lead LA Kings to brink of Cup final with 2-1 win over Coyotes in Game 3
- King, Quick lead Kings to brink of Cup final with 2-1 win over Coyotes in Game 3
- Milano takes over NHL's Twitter feed for Game 3
- Scrivens gets shutout as Marlies blank Barons 5-0 in Game 1 of AHL West final
- Kostka scores twice as Admirals rout IceCaps 6-1 in Eastern Conference opener
